Uganda’s veteran opposition politician, retired colonel Dr Kizza Besigye

By Johannah Nantongo

KAMPALA — Behind-the-scenes efforts are reportedly underway to secure the release of jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye as his treason case returns to the High Court in Kampala.

The reported discussions involve senior figures from the government, opposition, religious circles and other sections of society, with Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh, said to be playing a leading role in attempts to find a political solution to Besigye’s continued detention.

The talks reportedly involve members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).

FDC deputy spokesperson Walid Mulindwa has confirmed that consultations are taking place, although there has been no official announcement of an agreement to release Besigye or withdraw the charges against him.

The reported initiative follows remarks by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in August that Gen Saleh had been authorised by President Yoweri Museveni to handle the matter.

An earlier effort to facilitate a meeting involving Besigye, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Gen Saleh reportedly did not take place after the two opposition figures were unable to travel because of ill health.

Court case continues

Despite the reported political discussions, the High Court is continuing with the criminal proceedings against Besigye and his co-accused.

Justice Emmanuel Baguma is expected to resume hearing prosecution evidence today, after previously expressing concern over delays in the trial.

On September 23, the judge granted what he described as a final adjournment after prosecution lawyers failed to appear at the scheduled time. He warned that the case would not be repeatedly postponed without sufficient justification.

The prosecution is expected to continue with the testimony of its second witness, Dr Medadi Erisa Ssentanda, a senior lecturer in African Languages at Makerere University.

Ssentanda is giving evidence concerning the transcription of audio and video material that prosecutors intend to rely on in the case against Besigye, Obeid Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola.

He previously told court that Makerere University received Shs59.32 million to transcribe recordings contained on a flash disk submitted by the Criminal Investigations Directorate.

According to the evidence, the recordings relate to meetings allegedly held in Geneva, Athens and Nairobi and run for more than 25 hours.

The defence has disputed the reliability of the material, particularly because the original flash disk from which the recordings were allegedly transcribed has not been presented in court.

Defence lawyers have questioned the chain of custody and whether the device taken to Makerere is the same one from which the recordings being relied upon by the prosecution were obtained.

First witness faces defence challenge

Ssentanda’s evidence follows testimony from the prosecution’s first witness, British-American security investigator Andrew Wilson.

Wilson told court that he had worked for the Ugandan Government while secretly recording meetings involving Besigye and people associated with him.

His testimony also covered events in Nairobi on November 16, 2024, shortly before Besigye was arrested.

Wilson said the Riverside apartment where Besigye and Lutale were arrested had been prepared in advance and that two pistols had been placed inside before the opposition figures arrived.

During cross-examination, Wilson agreed with the defence that the firearms and what prosecutors described as counterfeit money had been planted as part of an intelligence operation.

He characterised the Nairobi operation as a “sting” and said he understood that the meeting and subsequent arrests had been deliberately organised.

The defence also questioned Wilson about his qualifications, covert recording equipment, the handling of evidence and his knowledge of some of the individuals subsequently charged in the case.

Besigye remains absent

Besigye is not expected to attend the proceedings physically after remaining away from court since July 29, when he collapsed during proceedings.

His collapse occurred amid his objection to lawyers appointed to represent him. The court later permitted the trial to continue in his absence.

His continued absence comes as reports emerge of attempts to resolve his detention through political engagement, although the court proceedings remain active.

Besigye, Lutale and Capt Oola face treason-related charges arising from allegations that they participated in meetings in Uganda, Kenya, Greece and Switzerland as part of a plan to overthrow the government.

The accused have not been convicted of the charges, and the prosecution is still presenting its evidence before the High Court.