By Mukembo Wilfred
Tensions are mounting within Ugandan diaspora communities following the remand of four-time presidential candidate and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, as investigators widen their focus to Ugandans living abroad suspected of financing opposition activities.
The Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on February 21, 2025, remanded Dr. Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutaale Kamulegeya and Captain Denis Oola, on charges of treason and misprision of treason. The charges followed the transfer of their case from the court martial, after the Supreme Court ruled that military courts lack jurisdiction over civilians, declaring such trials unconstitutional.
According to sources within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), investigators are actively pursuing a list of Ugandans based overseas whom the state suspects of providing financial and logistical support to Besigye. Authorities allege that this support was aimed at destabilising the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government led by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Like exclusively by this news website before, much emphasis, sources say, has been placed on members of the Ugandan diaspora believed to have mobilised funds for Besigye’s political activities. Among the names reportedly under scrutiny is Twine Herbert, said to be living in Canada. Though not widely known publicly, sources claim that even during his time in Uganda as a businessman, Twine was among key financiers of the FDC.
Another name drawing particular attention is Diana Tusingwire, a Ugandan national currently based in the United States. Investigators allege that Tusingwire played a central role in mobilising diaspora financial support for Besigye and opposition-linked activities.
Tusingwire is said to have served as an FDC polling agent during the 2016 general elections in Nyabubare Division, Igara County, Bushenyi District, in southwestern Uganda. Sources claim she fled the country shortly after the elections, citing threats to her life.
According to the same sources, Tusingwire was arrested after the 2016 polls and allegedly tortured at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters in Mbuya before later being released. She reportedly left Uganda soon afterwards when an opportunity arose, eventually settling in the United States.
Investigators now allege that, while abroad, Tusingwire became active within diaspora networks, mobilising individuals particularly financially in efforts they claim were intended to topple the NRM government. Her reported inclusion on an alleged DPP list has heightened anxiety among opposition-linked diaspora communities, who fear a widening crackdown extending beyond Uganda’s borders.
Sources further indicate that the current charge sheet may be amended once investigations into alleged diaspora funders are concluded. Prosecutors claim the alleged offences were committed across several countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and Uganda, where meetings were reportedly held to solicit arms and financial support as part of a plot to overthrow the government.
Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi remanded Besigye and his co-accused until March 7, 2025, noting that the charges are capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court. Treason carries a possible death sentence upon conviction.
The remand followed a request by Assistant DPP Lino Anguzu, who told court that investigations were still ongoing and that committal papers were not yet ready. The Magistrate read the charges to the accused but informed them she lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
Defense lawyers, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, protested the heavy military presence guarding their clients in court, arguing that the matter was now before a civilian court and should be handled by police. Lukwago also raised concerns about Besigye’s deteriorating health, requesting that he be allowed to receive treatment at a prison facility or hospital of his choice.
The defense told court that Besigye had been too ill to attend previous court sessions, was pushed into court in a wheelchair, and that even the High Court had earlier failed to hear his application for unconditional release due to his condition. Lukwago emphasized that the right to health is paramount and said Besigye was willing to meet his own medical costs.
In response, Anguzu argued that health claims required evidentiary proof and that prison authorities should first be given the opportunity to provide treatment. He cautioned the court against issuing orders without hearing from all parties.
In her ruling, Magistrate Nyadoi ordered that Captain Oola be transferred from military custody to prison services and stated that any application regarding Besigye’s health should be made before the High Court. She remanded Besigye to prison until March 7.
Besigye’s lawyers later told reporters that he has since ended his hunger strike following his formal charging and that they intend to apply for bail in the High Court.
As the case unfolds, the alleged involvement of Ugandan diaspora funders has added a new and sensitive dimension, raising questions about transnational political activism, state surveillance, and the reach of Uganda’s ongoing political and legal battles beyond its borders.
