KAMPALA, UGANDA — State prosecutors in the treason case against veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye have asked the High Court to conceal the identities of six key prosecution witnesses, citing serious security concerns.
In an application filed before the High Court, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions requested permission for the witnesses to testify using pseudonyms “Witnesses A, B, C, D, E, and F” and for their identities to be withheld from the public record.
According to the application, prosecutors are seeking witness protection and delayed disclosure orders to prevent the early release of any material that could reveal the identities of the six witnesses before they testify.
“Take notice that this Honourable Court shall be moved on the 12th day of March 2026 at 11:00am or soon thereafter as counsel for the applicant shall move court for the following witness protection and delayed disclosure orders: the concealment of the identities and non-disclosure of any material that is likely to reveal the identities of six prosecution witnesses,” part of the application reads.
The state argues that the measures are necessary to protect the witnesses and their families from potential threats following their testimony.
Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo, in an affidavit supporting the application, said Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale are jointly indicted on charges of treason and misprision of treason.
Kyomuhendo noted that although the prosecution is legally required to disclose evidence to the accused before the hearing begins, the six witnesses are factual witnesses whose testimony is critical and directly implicates the accused.
He further argued that revealing their identities at this stage could expose them to intimidation or harm.
“One of the prosecution witnesses has already been threatened by the respondents’ 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 said in the affidavit.
Dr. Besigye and Lutale are jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason.
According to the prosecution, between 2003 and November 2024, the accused and others still at large allegedly plotted in several cities, including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala, to overthrow the government of Uganda by force of arms.
The High Court is expected to consider the prosecution’s application as the treason case proceeds.
