An airstrip in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was allegedly identified as an escape route after a planned assassination of President Museveni, the High Court in Kampala has heard.
Mr Andrew Wilson, alias Orlando, a prosecution witness, told the High Court yesterday that Dr Kizza Besigye and his alleged associates had discussed using Mahagi airstrip to flee Uganda after the purported attack.
The witness said Dr Besigye had identified the airstrip because one of the two facilities in Mahagi was allegedly not under the control of the Kinshasa government, but was managed by a local chief.
‘We also discussed how to escape from Uganda after the assassination attempt on President Museveni; that is why we were talking of the stamping of passports,’ Mr Wilson told court.
He was responding to questions from Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka during proceedings presided over by Justice Emmanuel Baguma.
Mr Wilson said Dr Besigye explained that Mahagi had two airstrips-one official facility controlled by the Congolese government and another unofficial one allegedly controlled by a local chief.
According to the witness, the unofficial airstrip would allow the group to leave without going through immigration procedures.
‘We discussed the Mahagi airstrip. Dr Besigye said he knew the chief of that area and this could have given us an easy escape route without paperwork. Dr Besigye also said he had previously used the same unofficial airstrip to bring in guns,’ Mr Wilson said.
During the hearing, the prosecution played clips from an over two-hour video recording that Mr Wilson said he secretly captured during meetings involving Dr Besigye.
At one point in the footage, a man whom the prosecution identified as Dr Besigye is seen handing Mr Wilson some material.
Mr Wilson told court that the material was an index card containing details of Mahagi airstrip.
Mr Wilson further claimed that Dr Besigye told him that people associated with their alleged operation would be waiting at the airstrip to receive the logistics.
‘We needed to plan if the aircraft needed re-fuelling and the weight of the cargo it would carry. Dr Besigye said, ‘our people will be there to receive us,” he testified.