Police Paid Makerere Shs 59.32 Million to Transcribe Besigye Audio Recordings

The High Court in Uganda has heard that police paid Makerere University Shs 59.32 million to transcribe over 24 hours of audio recordings allegedly linked to meetings involving opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye. Detective Inspector Benedict Odyek revealed the transaction during his testimony in an ongoing treason trial.

According to Odyek, an investigator attached to the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the recordings ran for more than 24 hours and were transcribed by Makerere University’s Centre of Languages at a rate of Shs 40,000 per minute. The audio material was extracted from several electronic devices, including mobile phones, a hard drive, a power bank, and a wall socket fitted with concealed cameras.

Detective Odyek told trial judge Emmanuel Baguma that the exhibits were handed over by Andrew Wilson and Moses Barasa. Wilson reportedly claimed the devices were used to record meetings in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi concerning plans to overthrow the government. The prosecution alleges that Besigye, Obeid Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola engaged in meetings across multiple countries to solicit funding, acquire weapons, and organize paramilitary activities.

During Thursday’s proceedings, defence lawyers raised objections regarding the introduction of undisclosed documents, including the Makerere University invoice and a court order authorizing the forensic extraction of data from the devices. Judge Baguma subsequently directed the prosecution to share the remaining documents with the defence team.

Besigye is facing trial alongside his co-accused, with the prosecution relying on forensic reports, witness accounts, immigration records, and digital media to build its case. Cross-examination of the detective is scheduled to resume on November 2.

Read more about this case on The Observer.