Besigye plotted to bomb Cafe Javas, state spy tells court

What the report says

A state witness told Uganda’s High Court that he covertly recorded meetings in which opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye allegedly discussed weapons, paramilitary training and efforts to overthrow the government. The testimony came in the treason case against Besigye, Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola, which is being heard by Justice Emmanuel Baguma. Besigye is being tried in absentia, according to the report by The Observer.

Andrew Wilson, described as a private security investigator, said he used a hidden camera inside a mobile power bank to capture conversations involving Besigye and Joel Wakayima, a Ugandan based in Switzerland. He alleged that the discussions covered acquiring hand grenades, drones and surface-to-air missiles, as well as training a group in Kisumu, Kenya. Wilson also said the meetings touched on plans to attack Kampala, cause civil unrest and, in one alleged discussion, target President Yoweri Museveni using drone airstrikes. He claimed the group discussed attributing any killing to the Allied Democratic Forces to protect Besigye’s reputation.

The witness further testified that there was talk of detonating a hand grenade at Café Javas on Acacia Avenue in Kampala because officials were said to frequent the site. He also said the group discussed $5 million for the operation, counterfeit currency, and using a drone to interfere with an aircraft at Entebbe International Airport. Wilson said he later cooperated with Ugandan security agencies and that arrests in Kisumu led to 36 Ugandans being brought back to Uganda and charged with terrorism-related offences.

The prosecution says the accused held meetings in Uganda, Kenya, Greece and Switzerland to seek funding, obtain weapons and organize paramilitary activity. In general, treason and terrorism cases in Uganda often involve extensive digital, travel and witness evidence, but The Observer’s report is focused on Wilson’s testimony and the allegations before court.