The first prosecution witness in Dr. Kizza Besigye’s treason case has told the High Court Criminal Division in Kampala that Catholic religious sisters in Kenya allegedly helped arrange premises where a group of youths were expected to undergo training as part of a purported plan to topple the Ugandan government.
Andrew Wilson, also known as Orlando, told court that the alleged training was expected to take place at a Pastoral Centre in Kisumu, Kenya. He said Catholic nuns cleaned the rooms at the centre before police arrived.
According to Wilson, when police reached the facility, the rooms had already been cleaned, and officers reportedly did not recover any belongings linked to the people who had been arrested.
The witness further told court that 36 trainees arrested in Kisumu had been charged with terrorism and were expected to be released after a maximum of six months. He said Besigye had told him there was no evidence linking him to the arrests.
Wilson also testified that Besigye had informed him that he was cooperating with Catholics in Uganda and referred to an Italian priest with whom he had allegedly worked for more than 30 years.
The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s evidence in the treason case against Besigye and his co-accused.
Wilson further told court that discussions during one of the meetings focused on Uganda’s Air Force and a possible attack on an airfield. He said Nakasongola Airfield was identified as a potential target.
The witness said he proposed poisoning pilots rather than directly attacking the facility with missiles. He allegedly told Besigye that air-defence missiles were highly tactical and could be used by terrorists.
Wilson also testified that Besigye told him he had contacts within Uganda’s security establishment, specifically mentioning two individuals identified as Samuel and Simon. According to the witness, they were allegedly involved in organising training, along with other unidentified individuals operating in Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The allegations are part of the prosecution’s case against Besigye and his co-accused and remain subject to determination by the court.
By Edith Namwanje
3rd Sept 2026