Former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), now the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Maj Gen James Birungi has been remanded to Makindye Military Barracks after the General Court Martial denied him bail due to his failure to present sureties.
Maj Gen Birungi is expected to return to court on July 31, 2026, for judgment. He faces charges relating to security and treachery before the General Court Martial sitting at Makindye, chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa.
Maj Gen Birungi, who previously served as Chief of Military Intelligence before his arrest in August 2025, was arraigned alongside several other Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) officers over allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to obtain operational funds.
The alleged false intelligence is also linked to security operations in which civilians were shot and wrongly presented as suspected suicide bombers, including incidents at Kalerwe Market and near the Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs' Day celebrations.
In the same proceedings, the court granted bail to other accused officers.
Brig Gen James Ruhesi was released on bail of UGX 10 million cash and UGX 25 million non-cash, secured by sureties. Maj Innocent Mugumya, who faces the same charges, was granted bail of UGX 4 million cash and UGX 10 million non-cash, also secured by sureties. The court also remanded Col David Kidega and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera after they failed to provide sureties. Both are expected to reappear in court on July 31, 2026.
Lt Paddy Nahabwe was similarly remanded and is scheduled to appear in court on August 31, 2026.
Proceedings at Makindye have been conducted under tight security, with media access to the courtroom restricted.
The case marks a significant development in the UPDF's internal accountability process following a Board of Inquiry into intelligence and counterterrorism operations.
The Board of Inquiry was chaired by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding.
