The Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, is among the witnesses expected to testify in the treason case against veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused.
The development emerged on Monday after the defence confirmed receipt of the final batch of witness statements from the prosecution.
Otto's anticipated testimony is expected to focus on intelligence reports and interactions related to allegations forming part of the state's case against Besigye.
Also expected to testify is Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, a presidential adviser on classified operations and former head of military intelligence. Kandiho's witness statement outlines how security agencies allegedly first became aware of attempts by certain Ugandans to acquire military training and firearms.
According to his statement, Kandiho says that while Otto was serving as Uganda's military attaché in South Sudan, he received information regarding a group of Ugandans who had allegedly sought assistance in recruiting personnel, obtaining military training, and acquiring firearms.
Kandiho states that the information raised security concerns and triggered further engagement among intelligence officials.
The prosecution also intends to call Maj. Gen. James Birungi, a former Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, whose testimony is expected to shed further light on the intelligence assessments and investigations that followed.
Another witness on the prosecution's list is Andrew Wilson, also known as Orlando, a 55-year-old American national and former serviceman.
In his statement, Wilson says he served in the military for five years before moving into private investigations and security work. He claims he separately contacted Otto regarding the same group of Ugandans allegedly seeking access to firearms and military-related support.
Prosecutors are expected to rely on Wilson's testimony to corroborate aspects of the intelligence information gathered by Ugandan security agencies.
The witness list also includes Moses Barasa, a businessman involved in coffee and tea trading as well as the tourism sector. Details of his anticipated testimony remain unclear from the witness statements disclosed so far, but prosecutors have listed him among those expected to appear during the trial.
The appearance of serving and former intelligence chiefs underscores the central role that intelligence and security evidence is likely to play in the prosecution's case. It also signals the state's intention to establish a chain of information linking intelligence gathering, subsequent investigations, and the alleged activities under scrutiny.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
His legal team has previously challenged aspects of the prosecution's case, arguing that the defence requires adequate time to review and analyse the extensive documentary, digital, and audio-visual evidence disclosed by the state before the trial proceeds.
The prosecution's witness list suggests that the state intends to rely not only on documentary and digital evidence but also on testimony from senior security officials, foreign security actors, and civilian witnesses who claim to have knowledge of the alleged activities under investigation.
With pre-trial proceedings advancing toward the hearing stage, the testimony of the military and intelligence witnesses is expected to be among the most closely watched aspects of a case that continues to attract significant political and public interest.