'Witness is prompted by radio'
12/04/2006 19:32  - (SA)  

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Kampala - In a bizarre twist on Wednesday in the treason trial of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, the defence accused the Ugandan government of coaching the lead prosecution witness with a hidden radio set.

Besigye's lawyer, Caleb Alaka, stunned a packed courtroom by claiming the testimony of the witness, Jennifer Aryemo, was being directed by unidentified government agents through an ear piece concealed in an elaborate disguise.

Alaka told Ugandan high court judge Vincent Kagaba: "We have information to the effect that the type of dress of the witness has not been for purposes of design.

"There is an ear-piece and a radio transmitter the witness is trying to conceal.

"That is why she needs an interpreter and takes time to answer questions because she gets answers from outside the court."

Aryemo in disguise

Aryemo, 34, has testified since the trial began last week.

She said that after Besigye lost the country's elections in 2001, he sent her to seek an alliance with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to overthrow Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni.

Her appearance in court has been marked by an unusual disguise of thick glasses, a wig and a huge turban.

Her insistence on a translator has slowed responses to questions and during frequent breaks the defence says she has been taken to a dark-tinted government van.

The prosecution maintains the disguise is necessary for Aryemo's security, that she speaks only rudimentary English and that the breaks are not unusual, given the high-profile nature of the case.

The defence challenged all these arguments on Wednesday.

He questioned why Aryemo had not been subjected to the normal police screening procedure that all others entering the court must undergo.

'She could carry explosives'

Alaka suggested that without such checks "this self-confessed terrorist could carry explosives on her head and blow up the court".

Prosecutor Simon Byabakama said he was "flabbergasted" and was aware of "that kind of scenario".

Aryemo denied the allegations and offered to allow court officials to search her.

The judge adjourned the trial until April 19 and told Aryemo to reduce the size of her outfits when she next testified.

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