Uganda, April 23 -- Tension gripped the High Court on Thursday as defence lawyers for opposition figure Col Dr Kizza Besigye subjected Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo to a rigorous cross-examination, exposing sharp disagreements over the legal basis for concealing prosecution witnesses in the ongoing treason trial.

Mr Kyomuhendo, the head of the Anti-Trafficking Department in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), took the stand to defend the State's application to shield the identities of key witnesses.

However, under cross-examination led by defence lawyer Fredrick Mpanga, his testimony revealed contradictions and concessions that could weigh heavily on the court's final determination.

At the outset, Chi...