Prosecution seeks witness protection orders in Besigye treason case

KAMPALA – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has applied to the High Court Criminal Division in Kampala seeking orders to protect key prosecution witnesses in the treason case against opposition figure Kizza Besigye and two others.

In a Notice of Motion filed under Sections 14 and 37 of the Judicature Act, prosecutors are asking court to conceal the identities of six witnesses and delay disclosure of their evidence until shortly before they testify.

The application arises from High Court Criminal Case No. HCT-0335-2025 in which the respondents — led by Col (Rtd) Dr. Besigye — are jointly indicted on charges of treason and misprision of treason.

According to court documents, the prosecution wants the six witnesses to testify using pseudonyms identified only as Witnesses A, B, C, D, E and F. The DPP argues that revealing their identities at this stage could expose them to intimidation or harm.

The state is also requesting the court to allow delayed disclosure of the witnesses’ evidence, proposing that full disclosure be made seven days before each witness appears in court.

The application is supported by an affidavit sworn by Joseph Kyomuhendo, a Chief State Attorney in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Kyomuhendo states that the witnesses are crucial factual witnesses whose testimonies directly implicate the accused persons.

He further claims there are security concerns surrounding the witnesses, noting that investigations revealed that an alleged accomplice to the accused persons had threatened to harm one of the witnesses.

“The nature of the offences with which the accused persons are indicted are serious, grave in nature and involve personal violence,” the affidavit states.

Kyomuhendo argues that if the identities of the witnesses are disclosed prematurely, there is a high likelihood of interference, intimidation or harm to them and their loved ones.

The prosecution therefore wants the court to allow concealment of their identities in all proceedings and public records until the witnesses testify.

However, the DPP maintains that the orders sought will not cause injustice to the accused persons because redacted disclosures will still be provided in line with court procedures.

The application was filed at the High Court in Kampala and will be heard at a date to be fixed by the court.

If granted, the orders would allow the six prosecution witnesses to testify under protected identities while limiting the disclosure of their evidence until shortly before their appearance in court.