Human ights activist Agather Atuhaire has criticised prosecution witness Wilson Yinnybr Orlando, who recently completed his testimony in the treason case against opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, describing him as a “fabricated witness”.
Atuhaire made the remarks while commenting on Wilson’s evidence in the case, in which the prosecution has presented testimony concerning covert operations and meetings involving Besigye and his co-accused.
“I would have said he’s a hostile witness but he is a fabricated witness,” Atuhaire said. “That happens to all of them like it did with Kyakuwa and your colleague then at CID Elizabeth Kutesa during the fabricated rape case.”
Her comments appeared to draw a parallel between the current treason proceedings and the long-running legal controversy surrounding a rape case in which Besigye was accused more than two decades ago.
The historical case involved allegations by Joanita Kyakuwa, who was living under Besigye’s guardianship. The prosecution alleged that Besigye raped her in November 1997 at his home in Luzira, Kampala.
Kyakuwa reported the matter to police in 2001, several years after the alleged incident. Besigye denied the allegations and was subsequently tried before the High Court.
On March 7, 2006, the High Court acquitted Besigye, with Justice John Bosco Katutsi finding that the prosecution had failed to establish the case to the required standard. The court also identified inconsistencies in the evidence presented during the trial.
Atuhaire referred to that case while questioning the credibility of witnesses in Besigye’s latest legal battle.
“The only difference is that then the fabricated witnesses were standing before a real judge who cared about justice,” she said.
Her comments came shortly after Wilson completed his evidence in the treason proceedings.
During his testimony, Wilson acknowledged that he had been working for the Ugandan government when he gathered intelligence on Besigye and people associated with him.
He also described the November 2024 Nairobi operation involving Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale as a “sting” operation.
Wilson’s testimony has faced sustained questioning from the defence, including scrutiny over omissions in his earlier police statement and his role in intelligence-gathering activities.
The prosecution alleges that Besigye and his co-accused were involved in activities aimed at overthrowing the Ugandan government by force. Besigye and the other accused have denied the charges.
Atuhaire’s remarks therefore place the latest witness testimony within a wider debate over the credibility of evidence presented against Besigye in successive legal cases.