Besigye Trial: Prosecution Witness Claims Nairobi Evidence Was Lost

During the ongoing treason trial of veteran Opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, a crucial piece of information has emerged from the prosecution’s side. Andrew Wilson, a witness testifying for the prosecution, informed Justice Emmanuel Baguma that video evidence from a meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, was not successfully saved.

Wilson, who also goes by the alias Orlando, detailed how he utilized numerous covert recording devices, including flash drives, necklaces, and power banks, to capture meetings involving Dr. Besigye and others in various international locations between 2023 and 2024. The Nairobi meeting was particularly significant, as it was attended by Dr. Besigye and his political aide, Obeid Lutale, who had traveled to Kenya at the invitation of former Justice Minister Martha Karua for her book launch.

However, Wilson explained that following the alleged abduction of Besigye and Lutale in Nairobi, Kenyan police intervened and seized the recording equipment. He testified that the interaction with the police, specifically the pressing of buttons on the device, resulted in the unsaved video footage being lost. This incident means that critical evidence from that specific meeting is unavailable to the court.

Wilson also recounted instances where other recordings were compromised, including one in Athens where friction from clothing obscured a microphone, and another where a device failed. He emphasized that he had transferred recordings onto a hard drive for security before handing them over to Uganda’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), to prevent discovery at airports. Several video clips, though of poor quality, were played in court, reportedly depicting discussions about counterfeiting currency and plans to destabilize Uganda’s economy.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/besigye-trial-witness-says-nairobi-evidence-was-lost-5570072