Uganda’s veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye is facing renewed attention as his treason case continues in court, with the prosecution presenting fresh evidence against him.
Besigye, a longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, is accused of taking part in a plan to overthrow the government. He has denied the allegations, and the case is still before court.
The latest development came after British-American security consultant Andrew Wilson Orlando appeared as a key prosecution witness. Orlando presented recordings that he said captured meetings involving Besigye and other people in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to the witness, the recordings were made secretly using hidden equipment. One of the devices was reportedly placed inside a power bank, allowing conversations to be recorded without the participants knowing.
Orlando told the court that he had entered Besigye’s circle as part of a sting operation. He claimed he presented himself as a wealthy foreign financier who could provide money, weapons and military training.
The prosecution alleges that the discussions were linked to plans to obtain weapons and remove Museveni’s government by force. The witness has also made claims about an alleged plan targeting President Museveni.
The evidence has attracted attention because the recordings are being used by prosecutors to support their allegations against the opposition leader. However, the claims made by the witness remain allegations until the court reaches a final decision.
Besigye’s legal team has continued to challenge the case and the evidence presented by the prosecution.
The treason proceedings come at a sensitive time in Uganda, where political tensions remain high. President Museveni has been in power since 1986, while opposition figures have repeatedly accused the government of restricting political space.