KAMPALA
The General Court Martial in Makindye has further remanded former Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) Maj Gen James Mugabe Birungi until September 24, 2026, after his surety failed to appear in court to stand for him during his bail application.
The court, chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukachungurwa, on Monday ordered that Birungi be returned to the Makindye Military Police Barracks detention facility until Thursday, when his bail application will continue.
Birungi is facing charges relating to security and treachery before the General Court Martial, the Uganda People's Defence Forces' (UPDF) highest military judicial body mandated to handle capital and disciplinary cases involving senior officers and other persons subject to military law.
Arrest and charges
Birungi was arrested in August 2025 following investigations into allegations arising from intelligence operations conducted during his tenure as head of military intelligence.
The investigations followed a Board of Inquiry chaired by then-Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding. Reports on the case said the inquiry examined allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to obtain operational funds, while also investigating security operations in which civilians were allegedly shot and later presented as suspected suicide bombers.
Birungi has denied the allegations, which remain before the court. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Before his arrest, Birungi had served as CMI director and held other senior UPDF positions, including commander of the Mountain Division. CMI is now known as the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security (C-DIS).
Two civilians sentenced
In a related development, the same court sentenced two civilians, Benjamin Nsubuga and Benson Asiimwe, to two years in prison after they pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully wearing UPDF uniforms and illegally possessing a firearm.
Nsubuga will serve his sentence at Kitalya Prison, while Asiimwe was committed to Gulu Prison.
Othieno remanded
Brig Gen Tukachungurwa also presided over the case of Robert Ochan Othieno, who is facing a charge of unlawful possession of military clothing.
Othieno was remanded to the Makindye detention centre until September 28, 2026.
