By TV10 Gano Mazima Investigative Desk
The Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Thursday committed the founder of the People’s Front For Freedom, Col. Dr. Warren Kizza Besigye Kifefe, Hajji Obeid Lutale, and Capt. Oola, to the High Court to face charges of treason and misprision of treason.
Besigye and his co-accused were committed following the revelation by the lead chief state attorney, Richard Bivirimbuka, to the Chief Magistrate, Her Worship Christine Nantege, that the investigation into the matter had been completed and that they were ready for trial.
This development took precedence as Besigye’s defense team, led by Senior Counsel Martha Karua, Eron Kiiza, and Fredrick Mpanga, had walked out in protest after their prayer to halt the proceedings was thwarted. Before doing so, Besigye briefly addressed the court, which he described as a “kangaroo court,” and then instructed his lawyers and supporters to walk out of the courtroom.
According to the prosecution, between 2023 and November 2024, at various locations including Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Nairobi (Kenya), and Kampala (Uganda), the accused allegedly conspired to overthrow the Ugandan government.
The prosecution claims the trio held meetings, solicited funds, and acquired firearms as part of this plot. The group is also accused of failing to report knowledge of the treasonous plans to the appropriate authorities.
The committal documents presented in court allege that retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye Kifefe, a former senior army officer and founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), used international platforms in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi in 2023 and 2024 to coordinate plans to topple the government.
These meetings allegedly involved foreign operatives, including a Kurdish intelligence agent identified only as “AW,” with whom Besigye reportedly discussed military training, sabotage, and a potential assassination attempt on President Yoweri Museveni via drone strike.
In 2021, Wilson was contacted by Joel Wakhaima (JW), a Ugandan based in Switzerland, who allegedly sought assistance in acquiring firearms and training Ugandans to overthrow the government.
Upon realizing the nature of the request, Wilson contacted a senior UPDF officer serving in Somalia at the time. The officer advised Wilson to become a government informant and engage further with JW to uncover the plot.
“AW was introduced to intelligence officers at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), under whose supervision he continued to work and to whom he regularly reported his activities,” the DPP’s documents state. Wilson continued engagements with JW until 2023, when JW introduced him to Hon. Salaam Musumba.
“AW had a conversation with Salaam Musumba via Zoom, and the proceedings of this meeting were recorded by AW. During this meeting, Salaam Musumba requested training for their people in covert communications and intelligence gathering techniques for the purpose of spying on the government,” reads the summary of evidence.
Later, Wilson met Musumba in Brussels, Belgium, at a meeting also attended by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Hon. Ssemujju Nganda, Lubega Mukaku, and Charles Rwomushana. “In the discussions at this meeting, AW accepted to join the plot to overturn the government and agreed to be their security and military advisor. The discussions at this meeting were recorded by AW and the recording shall be relied upon at the trial,” the summary states.
According to prosecutors, Musumba requested JW to introduce Wilson to Besigye. An online discussion followed, culminating in a physical meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 29, 2023, attended by Besigye, Wilson, Frank Kihehere Atukunda, and JW.
“At this meeting, the group discussed the plot to overturn the government of Uganda by force of arms. Besigye/A1 requested military assistance from AW to destabilize Uganda. A1 also requested AW to train some of his (A1) allies in covert intelligence and paramilitary tactics, which request AW accepted,” reads the indictment.
The prosecution alleges that Besigye further requested counterfeit Uganda shillings to be introduced into the economy with the help of collaborators within the Bank of Uganda as a means of both raising funds and destabilizing the economy. “In the same meeting, A1/Besigye, Joel Wakhaima, and Frank requested ricin poison to poison targeted government officials,” the document reveals.
Besigye is also said to have provided a list of military targets, including Simba Barracks (Mbarara), 2nd Division Makenke Barracks, Bugembe Barracks, Bihanga Military School, Kakyoma Mountain Brigade, and others. The DPP further alleges that Besigye solicited and received $5,000 from AW to facilitate the transport of 36 Uganda
