Lawyer Eron Kiiza has reacted strongly to the latest testimony in Dr Kizza Besigye’s treason case after the prosecution’s key witness, Andrew Wilson alias Orlando, told court that he was working for the Ugandan government while gathering information on the opposition politician.
Wilson, a British-American security professional, made the disclosure during re-examination at the High Court in Kampala. Asked by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka who he had been working for when he interacted with Besigye and his associates, Wilson responded: “Ugandan government.”
He further told court that his assignment was to gather information, initially focusing on Joel Wakayima and his network before the operation turned to Besigye. The witness has previously testified about secretly recorded meetings in Nairobi, Geneva and Athens which the prosecution says are evidence of a plan to overthrow the Ugandan government by force.
Wilson also confirmed that the November 16, 2024 meeting at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi was “stage-managed”, describing such operations as a common practice in law enforcement.
His evidence has attracted intense scrutiny from the defence, particularly over the Nairobi operation. Wilson previously acknowledged that two guns and what was described as fake currency had been placed inside the apartment before Besigye’s aide, Obeid Lutale, arrived. He described the placement as part of an “intelligence operation” and agreed that the arrangement appeared intended to implicate Lutale.
Reacting to the developments, Kiiza said the latest testimony vindicated concerns that human rights defenders had raised for years about the treatment of political opponents and critics in Uganda.
“We told you. Did we not?” Kiiza said, arguing that developments in court were gradually exposing what he described as the weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents.
Kiiza further questioned the independence of Uganda’s justice system, pointing to the constitutional right to bail and the presumption of innocence.
He cited Article 23(6) of the Ugandan Constitution, which provides for the right to apply for bail, alongside Article 28(3)(a), which protects the presumption of innocence.
The lawyer also criticised statements attributed to military leadership concerning the detention and prosecution of political opponents, arguing that judicial decisions should remain the preserve of independent courts.
“A court that can be commanded is no court at all,” Kiiza said, warning that the politicisation of criminal justice would have consequences beyond Besigye and others currently facing prosecution.
Besigye, Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola face treason charges over alleged meetings in Uganda and abroad. The accused have denied the allegations.