Publication Date: 13 January 2026
By: Pearl of Africa News Correspondent
The Ugandan public has been left deeply unsettled following the release of a detailed State Prosecution indictment. It outlines what authorities describe as a long-running and highly dangerous plot to overthrow the government and assassinate President Yoweri Museveni. At the centre of the allegations is veteran opposition leader Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, a figure synonymous with resistance politics in Uganda for decades.
According to the 13-page indictment, prosecutors allege crimes of treason and misprision of treason. The indictment arises from an elaborate conspiracy spanning more than a decade. The State claims the alleged plot began as early as 2013 and continued until November 2024. There was extensive coordination, recruitment, fundraising, and military-style planning both inside and outside Uganda.
“This was not an impulsive act or a short-term scheme, but a carefully planned operation allegedly sustained for over ten years,” prosecutors state in the indictment.
Accused and Alleged Objectives
The accused persons named in the case are Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajj Obeid Lutale, and Capt Denis Olaa. The prosecution alleges that the trio worked in concert with other individuals still at large. Together, they organized an armed insurrection aimed at forcefully removing Uganda’s government from power.
Central to the State’s case is the claim that the alleged conspiracy included plans to assassinate President Museveni using modern drone technology. This assertion has heightened public anxiety and drawn intense scrutiny due to the sophistication of the alleged methods.
“The use of drone technology marks a dangerous escalation in the nature of alleged threats against the Ugandan state,” the prosecution argues.
An International Dimension
One of the most striking elements of the indictment is the international scope of the alleged plot. Prosecutors claim that secret meetings were held in multiple countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Uganda. These meetings are said to have been used to coordinate strategy, seek military assistance, and plan violent actions.
Geneva, Switzerland, features prominently in the State’s narrative. Prosecutors allege that Dr Besigye attended meetings there on 29 October 2023 and again on 24 January 2024. During these meetings, the State claims, discussions took place about overthrowing the Ugandan government through armed means. Additionally, securing external support to facilitate the plan was part of the agenda.
“The prosecution contends that these meetings were not political consultations, but operational planning sessions,” the indictment notes.
Claims of Training and Intelligence Sharing
The State further alleges that during the Geneva meetings, Dr Besigye sought assistance in training operatives. The training involved intelligence gathering, surveillance, and paramilitary tactics. Prosecutors also claim that sensitive information regarding Ugandan military installations was shared. These sites were allegedly identified as potential targets in the planned attacks.
Such claims have raised serious questions about national security and the extent of exposure of sensitive information. However, they have also reignited debate about the fine line between political opposition, activism, and criminal conspiracy. This is especially true in Uganda’s highly polarized political environment.
The Role of a Private Security Contractor
A key figure mentioned in the indictment is Andrew Wilson, described by prosecutors as a private security contractor. According to the State, Wilson was first contacted in 2021 by Joel Wakayima, a Ugandan national based in Switzerland. Wakayima is alleged to have sought weapons and training to support efforts to topple the Ugandan government.
Prosecutors argue that this contact marked a significant step in moving the alleged conspiracy. They claim it shifted from political dissent to active preparation for armed action.
“Engaging private military expertise, according to the State, demonstrates intent to operationalize the alleged plot,” prosecutors assert.
Public Reaction and Political Implications
News of the indictment has sent shockwaves across Uganda. Supporters of the government view the allegations as evidence of a grave threat to national stability. Meanwhile, supporters of Dr Besigye and the opposition have expressed skepticism. They describe the charges as politically motivated and part of a long history of state repression against dissenting voices.
Dr Besigye, a former physician and once a close ally of President Museveni before turning critic, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions over the years. This latest case, however, is unprecedented in both its scale and the severity of the allegations.
“This case has the potential to redefine Uganda’s political landscape,” one political analyst observed. “It raises fundamental questions about security, democracy, and the treatment of opposition figures.”
What Comes Next
As the legal process unfolds, many Ugandans and international observers will be watching closely. All eyes are on how the courts handle the case. The prosecution’s allegations, if proven, would represent one of the most serious security breaches in the country’s history. Conversely, if the defense successfully challenges the State’s claims, the case could further fuel accusations of politicized justice.
For now, the nation remains gripped by uncertainty. The line between political opposition and alleged armed conspiracy becomes the subject of intense legal and public debate.
