national 9 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Court Rejects Key Evidence in Besigye Treason Case
The High Court in Kampala has disallowed the admission of a flash disk and envelope containing audio and video recordings as evidence in the treason trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused. The court cited the incompetence of the witness who presented the items. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/besigye-treason-case-court-blocks-envelope-flash-disk--5625410
In a significant development in the treason case against Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, the High Court in Kampala has ruled against the prosecution’s attempt to introduce crucial evidence. Justice Emmanuel Baguma has blocked the admission of a khaki envelope and a flash disk, both allegedly containing audio and video recordings.
The prosecution intended for these recordings, purported to document meetings in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi, to be presented as evidence. They claimed these discussions were part of a plot to overthrow the Ugandan government.
However, the court found that the witness who presented the envelope and flash disk was not competent to do so, leading to the rejection of the items as formal evidence. Despite this decision, the judge permitted the envelope and flash disk to remain part of the court record, specifically for identification purposes.
This ruling comes after previous challenges in the trial, including difficulties faced by prosecution witnesses in proving the authenticity and relevance of audio transcripts and other potential evidence. The case continues to navigate complex evidentiary procedures, with the prosecution aiming to link the accused to alleged subversive activities through various forms of testimony and materials.