The ongoing treason trial involving Dr Kizza Besigye has taken another dramatic turn after the first prosecution witness, Andrew Wilson, alias Wilson Orlando, gave court an account of an alleged meeting in Athens, Greece, where discussions reportedly touched on possible ways of attacking Uganda’s Air Force.
Wilson, who is appearing as the first prosecution witness in the case, told the High Court that a meeting was held in Athens on September 29, 2024.
According to his testimony, the discussions during the meeting allegedly included plans and ideas concerning how Uganda’s military aircraft could be attacked as part of a wider mission that the prosecution says was connected to efforts to overthrow the government of President Yoweri Museveni.
The witness reportedly told court that the issue of Uganda’s Air Force came up during the discussions. He explained that participants were allegedly discussing possible ways of dealing with aircraft operating from or around Nakasongola, an area associated with Uganda’s military aviation activities.
According to Wilson, Dr Besigye allegedly asked where the group could obtain air-defence missiles. The witness said the question immediately raised concern for him because of the seriousness of the suggestion and what it could mean if such weapons were obtained and used against aircraft.
Wilson told court that he declined to provide information about where such missiles could be obtained.
He described the suggestion as a red flag, indicating that, in his view, the discussion had moved into an area that raised serious concerns about the intentions of those involved.
The witness further told court that the issue did not simply end with the discussion about missiles. According to his testimony, another suggestion emerged concerning the possibility of poisoning Uganda Air Force pilots rather than relying on missiles to attack military aircraft.
Wilson reportedly explained to court that it was he who suggested the poisoning option. His account therefore presented a different sequence from the initial missile discussion, with the witness saying that the idea of poisoning pilots was raised as an alternative to using air-defence missiles.
The testimony has attracted attention because of the nature of the allegations being presented before court. The case concerns serious accusations, and the prosecution is relying on the evidence of witnesses and other material to attempt to establish what allegedly happened during the meetings referred to in court.
Wilson’s testimony was based in part on an audio recording which he identified as coming from the alleged Athens meeting of September 29, 2024. The recording was played before court as prosecutors sought to establish the conversations that took place and the issues discussed by the participants.
However, the court encountered difficulties with the recording because large portions of the audio were reportedly unclear. The poor quality of the recording made it difficult for some of the words and exchanges to be heard clearly, prompting the prosecution to seek explanations from the witness.
Chief State Attorney Richard Byaruhuka reportedly asked Wilson to explain what the participants were discussing in sections where the recording could not be clearly understood.
This meant that the court had to rely partly on the witness’s explanation of the conversations as it considered the material being presented.
Wilson subsequently explained that the discussions concerned Uganda’s Air Force and possible ways of attacking aircraft in Nakasongola. His interpretation of the conversation was presented to court as part of the prosecution’s effort to give context to the unclear sections of the recording.
The witness’s account places the alleged Athens meeting at the centre of an important part of the prosecution’s case.
According to his testimony, discussions about military aircraft were not merely theoretical conversations but were connected to what he described as a wider mission aimed at changing the leadership of Uganda.
The allegation that missiles were discussed has also become a major element of the testimony. Wilson said Dr Besigye asked about the availability of air-defence missiles, although the witness stated that he refused to provide the requested information.
Wilson’s testimony also introduced the alleged poisoning proposal as another significant part of the conversation. He told court that the suggestion came from him rather than Dr Besigye, describing it as an alternative approach after the issue of missiles had reportedly been raised.
The distinction is important because the witness was explaining not only what was allegedly discussed but also who, according to his account, raised particular suggestions. His testimony therefore requires the court to consider the individual roles attributed to the participants during the meeting.
As the proceedings continue, the prosecution is expected to use witness testimony, recordings and other evidence to support its case against the accused. The defence, on the other hand, will have an opportunity to challenge the evidence and question the credibility and accuracy of the accounts presented before court.
The unclear nature of parts of the recording could become an important issue during the proceedings. Where words cannot be clearly heard, the court must consider the witness’s interpretation alongside the available evidence rather than treating every statement as independently established fact.
The allegations made in court remain claims presented as part of a criminal trial and have not, by themselves, established that the alleged plans were carried out. The court will ultimately have to examine the evidence presented by both sides before reaching any conclusions on the allegations.
For now, Wilson’s testimony has added another dramatic chapter to the proceedings, particularly because it involves allegations of discussions about military aircraft, air-defence missiles and an alternative proposal involving poisoning pilots. The court is expected to continue examining the evidence surrounding the alleged Athens meeting as the treason case proceeds.
