Andrew Wilson: Kenyan Police Planted Besigye Guns for Treason Case

• State witness Andrew Wilson testified that Kenyan Police planted two pistols and fake currency notes in a Nairobi apartment as part of an intelligence operation.
• Wilson admitted to luring Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale into the staged scene and later unloading the planted guns for safety.
• Defense lawyers challenged Wilson's actions, accusing him of evidence tampering and unlicensed firearm possession, and noting the prosecution has not exhibited the evidence.
• Wilson's testimony included contradictions regarding Lutale's involvement in the alleged plot and he refused to answer some questions, citing classified information.
• The revelations raise serious questions about the integrity of the evidence and the intelligence operation in Dr. Besigye's treason trial.

This testimony alleging police misconduct and evidence planting in a high-profile treason trial provides defense lawyers with strong grounds to challenge the prosecution's evidence and raises critical questions about the integrity of intelligence operations.

In a dramatic turn during Dr. Kizza Besigye's high-profile treason trial in Uganda, the prosecution's first witness, Andrew Wilson, has testified before the High Court in Kampala that Kenyan Police planted firearms and fake currency notes. Wilson, a Kurdish private investigator and a key state witness, detailed how two pistols and counterfeit money were allegedly placed in a meeting room at Riverside apartments in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of an intelligence-led operation. He further claimed that the entire scene was meticulously stage-managed by Kenyan law enforcement.

Wilson recounted his role in the alleged setup, stating that he lured Dr. Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, into the pre-arranged room. The purpose, according to Wilson, was to discuss an alleged plot to overthrow the Ugandan government. He explained that the Kenyan Police facilitated the operation by renting the apartment and planting the incriminating evidence. Wilson also confirmed that on November 16, 2024, he traveled from Uganda to Nairobi, where a Kenyan policeman guided him and his associate, who used the alias Zac Ahmed for the operation, to the prepared room, which was supposedly set for a meeting with Dr. Besigye and his second-in-command.

During cross-examination by Farouq Kamulegeya, the defense lawyer representing Hajji Lutale, Wilson's testimony faced intense scrutiny. Wilson admitted that upon entering the room, he unloaded bullets from the magazines of the planted guns, citing safety concerns. However, Kamulegeya challenged this action, arguing that as a former soldier with experience in various international conflict zones, Wilson should not have touched an unfamiliar firearm, let alone unloaded it. The defense also highlighted that the prosecution has yet to exhibit the alleged guns and fake currency notes in court.

Kamulegeya further contended that if the firearms were to undergo forensic analysis, Wilson's fingerprints, rather than those of the accused, would likely be found on them. The defense has accused Wilson of evidence tampering and committing a crime by possessing a firearm in Kenya without a license. Wilson, however, insisted he committed no offense, stating that the guns were merely 'decorated' by the Kenyan Police. He also revealed that he and his associate were the only individuals not arrested during the staged operation, a situation he attributed to his fear of being subjected to violence by security personnel.

Wilson's personal background and professional history also came under examination during his appearance before Judge Emmanuel Baguma, where the treason trial commenced in August 2026. He described himself as a 'man of all trades,' listing professions such as a former British Army soldier, investigator, espionage master, crime prevention trainer, and author, operating through an online business called Risks Incorporation Ltd. He also disclosed that he is uneducated, having dropped out of school at the age of 15.

Crucially, Wilson's testimony regarding Hajji Lutale's involvement in the alleged plot contained contradictions. He stated that he had met Lutale only once in Kenya, exchanging merely an 'Assalam Aleikum' greeting, and that Lutale remained silent throughout the meeting, never engaging in discussions about overthrowing the Ugandan government. This directly conflicted with his previous statements, which suggested Lutale had participated in the meeting. Wilson, who has been in Uganda for six months preparing to testify against Dr. Besigye, also reportedly refused or avoided answering certain questions during cross-examination, claiming the information was classified.

This testimony alleging police misconduct and evidence planting in a high-profile treason trial provides defense lawyers with strong grounds to challenge the prosecution's evidence and raises critical questions about the integrity of intelligence operations. The revelations from Andrew Wilson, a key state witness, could significantly impact the ongoing Dr. Kizza Besigye treason trial in Uganda, potentially undermining the prosecution's case and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the arrest and the evidence presented.

This testimony alleging police misconduct and evidence planting in a high-profile treason trial provides defense lawyers with strong grounds to challenge the prosecution's evidence and raises critical questions about the integrity of intelligence operations.

Source: Original reporting via The Independent