KAMPALA – UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, is seeking a civilian trial for her husband Retired Colonel Dr. Kiiza Besigye who is accused of international plots to undermine Uganda’s security.
Dr Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale were Wednesday, November 20, 2024, charged with multiple offences by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) in the General Court Martial at Makindye, Kampala.
The opposition figure and his comrade were arrested in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi where they had travelled for a book launch by former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua.
The charge sheets, dated November 20, 2024, accuse the two of offences related to national security and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi city.
They are further accused of convening meetings abroad to solicit funds purportedly intended to disrupt national security.
The court martial chairman, Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, remanded them to Luzira prison until December 2, 2024.
Security-Related Charges
In Count 1, Besigye and Lutale are accused of engaging in activities prejudicial to the security of Uganda’s defence forces. Between October 2023 and November 2024, the duo allegedly held meetings in Nairobi (Kenya), Athens (Greece), and Geneva (Switzerland).
These meetings held in foreign cities reportedly “aimed at soliciting logistical support and identifying military targets in Uganda with intent to prejudice the security of the Defence Forces.”
In military terms, soliciting logistical support refers to requesting and coordinating resources, services, or assistance to sustain and facilitate military operations.
This includes supply chain management (fuel, ammunition, equipment, and spare parts); transportation (airlift, sealift, and ground transportation); maintenance and repair (equipment maintenance, repair, and overhaul); and medical support (medical supplies, evacuation, and treatment).
Others are infrastructure (bases, camps, and facility management); communication (networks, satellite support, and cybersecurity); personnel support (food, shelter, and personnel services) and engineering (construction, infrastructure development, and obstacle removal).
Logistical support enables military forces to sustain operations over time, maintain operational effectiveness, respond to changing situations and ensure personnel welfare.
Logistical support can be solicited from internal military resources, allied forces, contractors, host nations and international organisations. Effective logistical support is critical to successful military operations.
The prosecution claims these actions aimed to undermine the country’s defence forces under Section 128(1)(f) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330.
To prejudice the security of Defence Forces means to compromise, harm, or jeopardise the safety, effectiveness, or operational readiness of military personnel, assets, or operations.
This can include revealing sensitive information or classified data, compromising operational security (OPSEC), undermining troop morale or cohesion, disrupting supply chains or logistics, damaging equipment or infrastructure, divulging tactical or strategic plans, aiding or abetting enemy forces, engaging in espionage or sabotage, violating security protocols or procedures and endangering personnel or operations through negligence.
Prejudicing the security of Defence Forces can result from intentional acts (treason, sabotage), unintentional actions (negligence, mistakes), external threats (cyber-attacks, espionage) and insider threats (moles, security clearance breaches).
Unlawful Possession of Firearms and Ammunition
Counts 2, 3, and 4 involve violations of the Firearms Act, Cap 320. On November 16, 2024, at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya, Besigye and Lutale were allegedly found in possession of restricted firearms, including a pistol model 27KAL No. 765 and another, HB 1014 1953. Both firearms are described as monopolised by the Defence Forces.
Additionally, they are accused of possessing eight rounds of ammunition unlawfully. These counts underline charges of unauthorised possession of both firearms and ammunition under Sections 4(1) and (2) of the Firearms Act.
According to his wife, Winnie Byanyima, Dr Besigye has not owned a gun in the past 20 years.
“I can confirm that Dr Kizza Besigye has not owned a gun in the last 20 years. As a civilian, Dr Besigye should be tried in a civilian court NOT a military court,” said the UNAIDS Executive Director on X platform.
She added: “He has been falsely accused many times and civilian courts found him innocent. He will be found innocent in a civilian court.”
Implications and Legal Process
The charge sheets highlight a high-profile case involving a retired military officer and a prominent figure accused of engaging in subversive activities. The nature of the charges underscores alleged attempts to undermine state security, raising public interest both locally and internationally.
The case, which will proceed in the General Court Martial starting on December 2, reflects ongoing efforts to address security threats and enforce firearm regulations.
Further proceedings are expected as the accused prepare to defend themselves against the serious allegations.
