Two pistols allegedly recovered from a Nairobi apartment could have been planted to implicate Hajj Obeid Lutale, a prosecution witness has told court.
The claim emerged on the first day of cross-examination of prosecution witness Wilson Andrew, alias Orlando, in the treason case against retired Colonel Dr Kiiza Besigye, Hajj Obeid Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola Oyar.
Defence lawyer Farouk Kizito Kamulegeya questioned Wilson about the two pistols allegedly recovered from an apartment in Nairobi. Wilson confirmed that he and his associate, Zaac, found the firearms and that both had serial numbers.
Kamulegeya then asked whether the pistols could have been planted in the apartment to implicate Lutale. Wilson responded that it was possible they could have been planted by Kenyan police.
Wilson also told court that on November 15, 2024, he travelled from Uganda to Nairobi and stayed at Riverside Apartment, where he booked accommodation and confirmed the presence of a box containing what he described as counterfeit currency.
The defence questioned the circumstances surrounding the operation at the apartment, with Kamulegeya suggesting that it could have been state-managed. He pointed to the fact that people found inside the room were arrested, while Wilson and his associate were allowed to leave without being detained.
During cross-examination, Wilson told court that he is 55 years old, lives in Florida in the United States and uses the name Orlando for his online business.
He described himself as uneducated and said he served in the British Army for five years as a private soldier until 1995 before joining the private security and investigations sector. He said he earns his income from this work and also writes books and articles.
Wilson further testified that he owns a company called Risk Cooperation, which handles activities including article writing, life-skills and security training, and matters involving kidnappings and ransom negotiations.
The witness was also questioned about an article he published concerning the attack on General Katumba Wamala, but he declined to comment on the matter.
He was further asked about the 35 companies he claimed to work for. Wilson said he was reluctant to identify them, arguing that they could be subjected to harassment and intimidation by supporters of Besigye.
The cross-examination is part of the ongoing treason proceedings against Besigye, Lutale and Oyar.
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