Besigye trial: state witness defends unclear, noisy video evidence

What the report says

A state witness in the treason case against Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, Andrew Wilson, defended a series of video and audio recordings presented in court on Monday, despite objections that the material was hard to hear and difficult to interpret. The hearing took place before Criminal Division judge Emmanuel Baguma, with Besigye being tried in absentia alongside his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola, on treason charges.

According to The Observer, Wilson, described as a private security investigator, told the court the recordings were made covertly during meetings in Geneva, Nairobi and Athens. He said they captured discussions he believed related to plans to overthrow the Ugandan government, including alleged training of opposition supporters and possible access to weapons. The evidence included multiple concealed devices, such as cameras hidden in everyday items and audio recorders, as well as storage devices containing his material.

The publication reported that the audio and video played in court were poor in quality, with some people in the gallery reacting to the noise and leaving the session. Wilson said he would provide better-quality recordings later and claimed some meetings involved Besigye and others, including Joel Wakayima. He also said he had handed reports and some devices to investigators in Uganda.

The case matters because it is part of a politically sensitive prosecution involving one of Uganda’s best-known opposition leaders. Besigye, Lutale and Oola deny the allegations, and Besigye has refused to return to court, saying the process is biased.