By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni is said to be seething with rage after learning that the intelligence which prompted the arrest of opposition heavyweight Dr. Kizza Besigye in Nairobi was based on misleading or entirely false information.
Besigye and his aide, Abed Lutale, were dramatically detained last week in Kenya’s capital in what sources initially described as a high-level regional security operation targeting a suspected rebel network. The arrest made headlines across East Africa, with officials quietly briefing media about alleged arms links and external plots. However, the narrative has since unraveled.
According to high-level insider sources, President Museveni was initially briefed that Besigye had met with a European arms dealer believed to be linked to underground rebel activities. Intelligence also reportedly suggested that Besigye was coordinating with foreign actors in Zambia and Kenya to mobilize dissent ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
But just days later, it emerged that the key contact—the so-called arms dealer—had mysteriously vanished. Subsequent investigations revealed that the man was never formally identified and may have been a decoy. Worse still, alleged photographic and video “evidence” purporting to show Besigye attending militant training sessions in Zambia and Kenya has now been confirmed to be fabricated.
Sources familiar with the developments say President Museveni is furious and embarrassed, particularly after learning that prominent British businessman David Greenhalgh—initially cited as a potential financier of the alleged plot—flatly declined to be involved, citing the risk of legal repercussions.
The botched operation has triggered a major fallout behind the scenes. Museveni is now reportedly considering the arrest of top officers from both the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS). The president is said to suspect that rogue operatives may have orchestrated the sting for personal enrichment or to settle political scores under the guise of national security.
“The president feels betrayed. He trusted that this was a legitimate threat. Now, he’s demanding accountability,” one State House source revealed under condition of anonymity.
Besigye’s arrest, which was executed with the cooperation of regional intelligence actors, has become a diplomatic headache, especially given the lack of credible evidence to justify his detention. Discussions are reportedly underway to have the opposition leader quietly released to avoid further embarrassment, though such a move may raise even more questions about the state’s motivations.
Despite the political storm, Besigye remains defiant. In a surprise development, he has officially accepted the role of President of the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) and will be the coalition’s flag bearer for the 2026 presidential election. This comes after Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and FDC’s Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda declined to take up the mantle.
As the dust settles, all eyes are on how President Museveni will manage the fallout—both in terms of disciplining rogue elements within his security architecture and recalibrating his approach toward the opposition ahead of the high-stakes 2026 vote.
