Journalist Ronald Muhinda has accused prosecution witness Andrew Wilson Orlando of giving fabricated evidence in the trial of opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, arguing that the testimony is intended to portray the veteran opposition figure as a threat to Ugandans.
Muhinda's comments followed Orlando's testimony in court, where the British-American national allegedly linked Besigye to discussions about attacks on public places and infrastructure, including Cafe Javas in Kampala and aircraft at Entebbe International Airport.
Muhinda, however, dismissed the allegations as a deliberate attempt to associate Besigye with terrorism rather than the treason charges he is facing. He questioned why Orlando was highlighting alleged plans to attack a popular upmarket restaurant frequented by Uganda's middle class.
According to Muhinda, the choice of Cafe Javas was significant because allegations involving an attack on such a familiar establishment could influence public perception of Besigye, particularly among middle-class Ugandans.
“The aim? Incite the middle class against Besigye,” Muhinda said, arguing that the allegations were designed to turn sections of the public against the opposition politician.
Muhinda also challenged Orlando's claim that Besigye allegedly wanted to target a tourist or commercial aircraft using a drone at Entebbe Airport. He argued that such testimony could have a similar effect on frequent air travellers by creating fear and associating Besigye with threats to aviation security.
The journalist further alleged that the decision to pursue treason charges against Besigye was deliberate, claiming that terrorism-related charges would have faced difficulties before the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
Muhinda alleged that the case was instead being handled in the Criminal Division as part of a broader strategy against Besigye. He described the entire prosecution as a politically motivated operation allegedly intended to damage the opposition figure's reputation.
“The whole trial is a military operation from the first family and managed from State House to DAMAGE AND DESTROY Kizza Besigye in public,” Muhinda said.
He concluded by dismissing Orlando's testimony as a “concoction”.
The allegations made by Muhinda are his assessment of the proceedings and have not been established as facts by the court.
Orlando remains a prosecution witness, and his evidence is subject to scrutiny and cross-examination by Besigye's defence team. Besigye has denied the charges against him.