State witness alleges drone assassination plot against Museveni in Besigye treason trial

A state witness in the treason trial involving opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye has presented an alleged plot to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni. The witness, identified as Andrew Wilson, an American private security contractor acting as an undercover informant, told the High Court that the plan involved a drone attack and an attempt to implicate the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.

During testimony before Justice Emmanuel Baguma, Wilson described a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 28, 2024. He claimed that he suggested the assassination of President Museveni as a means to overthrow the government. According to Wilson, Dr. Besigye and an associate, Joel Wakayima, agreed with this proposal and discussed targeting the President’s movements, alleging they had contacts within State House.

Wilson further testified that the group intended for the attack to be attributed to the ADF, rather than their own organization, to avoid direct responsibility and further their agenda of destabilizing Uganda. The witness detailed a broader strategy that included recruitment, economic disruption, civil unrest, targeting influential figures, and securing military support to establish a “shadow government.”

In addition to the assassination plot, the witness alleged that the group considered flying a drone into a commercial aircraft at Entebbe International Airport to create widespread chaos. Wilson stated he gathered evidence, including audio and video recordings, which he handed over to Ugandan security. He also described a purported plan to train recruits in Kenya, which was reportedly disrupted by Kenyan security forces.

Dr. Besigye is jointly charged with Hajj Obeid Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola. They deny the charges of conspiring to overthrow the Ugandan government by force, which carry a maximum penalty of death. The trial continues amidst legal proceedings concerning Dr. Besigye’s health and previous collapses in court.

This information is based on testimony presented in the High Court, as reported by the Daily Monitor.