The family of jailed opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has challenged prosecution evidence in his ongoing treason trial, claiming he was at his Kasangati home on the date shown on a disputed video.Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, shared a statement from Deo Given Okodi, who said he remembers May 24, 2020, because it was his birthday and Uganda was under COVID-19 lockdown. Okodi said he was staying at Besigye’s home and received chocolates from him during the celebration.
The family argues that the account raises questions about a video presented in court, which prosecutors link to an alleged Geneva meeting involving Besigye. The video reportedly carries a timestamp showing May 24, 2020, while a prosecution witness said the Geneva meeting took place in January 2024.The witness, Andrew Wilson, told court that he secretly recorded meetings involving Besigye and others, alleging they discussed plans to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni’s government. He also made claims involving assassination plots and attacks, allegations that Besigye and his co-accused have denied.Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola are facing treason charges, which they deny. The defence is expected to continue challenging the reliability and circumstances surrounding the video and other evidence presented in court.
