A prosecution witness in the treason case against opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has told the High Court in Kampala that Besigye allegedly suggested blaming the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) if a planned attack on President Yoweri Museveni succeeded.
Andrew Wilson Orlando, a British-American private security investigator, claimed he infiltrated the group by posing as a foreign financier offering $5 million, weapons and military training.
Orlando told court that during meetings with Besigye and Joel Wakayima, discussions allegedly covered a possible drone attack against Museveni and how responsibility would be handled.
According to the witness, Besigye was concerned that claiming responsibility for killing a sitting president would damage their public support.
Orlando alleged that Besigye instead suggested attributing the attack to the ADF to avoid public backlash and protect the group’s political image.
The witness said he secretly recorded some of the meetings using covert equipment during his undercover operation. He also claimed to have offered weapons, drones, hand grenades and military training, although he acknowledged that the $5 million funding offer and its supposed backers were fictional.
Orlando further testified about alleged meetings in Geneva and Athens, where he said discussions concerning the alleged plans took place.
The prosecution has presented Orlando’s testimony alongside alleged recordings and communication records as part of its case.
Besigye has denied allegations that he planned to overthrow the government through violence, while his lawyers have challenged the prosecution’s evidence and described the case as politically motivated.
The allegations remain unproven, and the court is yet to determine the credibility and weight of the evidence as the trial continues.
