Maj Gen Birungi remanded after surety fails to show up

The General Court Martial in Makindye has remanded Maj Gen James Mugabe Birungi until September 24 after his surety failed to appear in court to stand for him during his bail application.

The two-star general was on Tuesday remanded to the Makindye Military Police barracks detention facility by the court chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukachungurwa.

His bail application will resume on Thursday, September 24, when the court is expected to consider his application after his surety failed to turn up.

Maj Gen Birungi has been appearing before the General Court Martial, the UPDF’s highest military judicial body mandated to handle capital and disciplinary cases involving senior officers and other persons subject to military law.

He is facing charges related to security and treachery before the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye and chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa.

The senior officer was arrested in August 2025 and later arraigned alongside several Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers over allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to fraudulently obtain operational funds.

Prosecution alleges that some of the intelligence reports were linked to controversial security operations in which civilians were shot dead and later presented as suspected suicide bombers. These incidents reportedly occurred at Kalerwe market and near the Catholic shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs Day celebrations.

Two civilians jailed

In a related case, the same court convicted and sentenced two civilians,  Nsubuga Benjamin and  Asiimwe Benson, after they pleaded guilty to unlawful wearing of army uniform and illegal possession of a firearm.

The court sentenced each of the two men to two years’ imprisonment.

Nsubuga will serve his sentence at Kitalya Prison, while Asiimwe will be held at Gulu Prison.

Brig Gen Tukachungurwa also presided over the case of Ochan Robert Othieno, who is accused of unlawful possession of military clothing.

Othieno was remanded to the Makindye detention centre until September 28, 2026, when he is expected to return to court.

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