The treason trial of veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye took a dramatic turn as a prosecution witness told the High court that the video evidence from a key meeting in Nairobi was not saved after recording equipment was allegedly seized by Kenyan police.
Andrew Wilson, the first prosecution witness in the ongoing case, told Justice Emmanuel Baguma that he secretly recorded meetings involving Besigye and others using concealed recording devices, including cameras hidden in power banks, watches and other objects.
What happened to the Nairobi recording?
Wilson said a meeting held in Nairobi on November 16, 2024, was recorded, but the video was not ultimately saved. He claimed that after Berrsiggye and his aide Obeid Lutale were abducted, Kenyan police took the recording devices.
According to witness, pressing buttons on the device caused the recording to become unsaved. He therefore told court that the Nairobi meeting’s video was unavailable.
What evidence was presented?
The prosecution has been presenting audio and video recordings which it says were secretly captured during meetings in Geneva and other locations outside Uganda. The recordings are being relied upon by the prosecution in the treason case against Besigye, Obeid Lutale and UPDF Captain Benis Oola.
The court has also heard claims from Wilson concerning alleged discussions about acquiring weapons and plans to overthrow the Ugandan Government. These allegations presented by the prosecution and have not been established as facts by court.
The case comes amid continuing concerns about Besigye’s health/ He recently returned to his prison cell after being discharged from the Luzira Prison Hospital. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has publicly called for him to receive specialized medical treatment and expressed concern about his condition.
The trial is ongoing. The latest court proceedings focus heavily on the prosecution’s recordings and testimony from Andrew Wilson who is among the witnesses.
