The General Court Martial at Makindye has remanded Maj Gen James Birungi on charges of treachery and offences related to national security.
Birungi, the former head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) — now known as the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) — was formally charged on Monday, nearly a year after his arrest in August 2025.
He appeared before a panel chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa.
The former intelligence boss was brought to court around 10:37 a.m. together with three other UPDF officers. The trio faces murder charges linked to the fatal shooting of suspected suicide bombers during separate security operations.
These include the killing of a woman on a motorcycle near Kalerwe Market and a man near the Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo during Uganda Martyrs Day commemorations.
Media coverage of the proceedings was heavily restricted, with journalists barred from taking photographs or reporting from inside the courtroom.
Maj Alex Echeru, the officer in charge of Makindye Military Barracks prison, led the escort and enforced the restrictions.
The court remanded Birungi and his co-accused at Makindye Military Barracks until August 3, 2026, when they are scheduled to reappear.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba had earlier relieved Birungi of his command of the Mountain Infantry Division, just two months after appointing him.
Birungi had been transferred from CMI on April 16, 2025, in a reshuffle that saw him swap roles with Maj Gen Richard Otto.
Sources indicate that Birungi is accused of providing false intelligence reports on counterfeit fuel and suspected suicide bombers, allegedly to enable the misappropriation of government funds.
These claims had not been tested in court until Monday’s arraignment.
Birungi was also listed as a state witness in the high-profile treason case involving Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and Capt Denis Oola, who are accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
His current prosecution on treachery charges exposes him to severe penalties, including the possibility of a death sentence if convicted.