State Prosecutors in veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye’s treason case, have asked the High Court to conceal the identities of six suspects in the case in which he is charged alongside his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale.
In an application filed before the High Court, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is requesting the High Court to allow the witnesses to testify under pseudonyms A, B, C, D, E, & F, and their identities withheld from the public record for security reasons.
“Take notice that this Honorable Court shall be moved on the 12 day of March 11:00am 2026 at O’clock in the fore/afternoon or soon thereafter as Counsel for the applicant shall move court for the following Witness Protection and delayed disclosure orders; 1). The concealment of the identities and non-disclosure of any material that is likely to reveal the identities of 6(six) prosecution witnesses (WITNESSES A, B, C, D, E & F) prior to their testimonies in court” part of the application reads.
The prosecution notes that this is meant to protect the witnesses and their families which will be under threat following the testimonies before court.
The Chief State Attorney in the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, Kyomuhendo Joseph in an affidavit supported the application noting that Besigye and Lutale are jointly indicted on charges of Treason and Misprision of treason.
“Prosecution is required to disclose it’s evidence to the accused persons before the hearing commences, that all the witnesses subject to this application are factual witnesses whose evidence is crucial and directly implicates the accused persons” part of the affidavit reads.
Without being specific to the nature of threat, kyomuhendo reiterates the state’s earlier argument of a security threat against the six witnesses and if their identities are disclosed at this stage, their lives and that of their loved ones would be in danger.
“One of the prosecution witnesses has already been threatened by the Respondents’ (Besigye and Liutale) accomplices, if the identities of all these witnesses are disclosed now, there is a high likelihood of interference, intimidation and harm towards them or their loved ones” Kyomuhendo noted.
Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale are jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason.
According to prosecution, between 2003 and November 2024, the accused and others still at large allegedly plotted in several cities including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya and Kampala in Uganda to overthrow the government of Uganda by force of arms.
