The General Court Martial has denied bail to former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (now Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security), Maj Gen James Birungi, and remanded him to Makindye Military Barracks. The decision came after he failed to provide suitable sureties.

Birungi is set to reappear in court on 31 July 2026.

He faces charges related to security offences and treachery. The court is sitting at Makindye and is presided over by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa.

The former Chief of Military Intelligence was arrested in August 2025. He was arraigned together with several other Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers. The accusations centre on claims that they fabricated intelligence reports to fraudulently obtain operational funds.

These alleged false reports are also connected to security operations in which civilians were shot and wrongly labelled as suspected suicide bombers.

Notable incidents include events at Kalerwe Market and near the Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs’ Day celebrations.

In the same session, the court granted bail to some of the co-accused officers.

Brig Gen James Ruhesi was released on Shs10 million cash bail and Shs25 million non-cash, supported by sureties.

Maj Innocent Mugumya received bail of Shs4 million cash and Shs10 million non-cash, also backed by sureties.

However, the court remanded Col David Kidega and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera after they too failed to present acceptable sureties.

They are scheduled to return on 31 July 2026.

Lt Paddy Nahabwe was also remanded and will appear before the court on 31 August 2026.

The proceedings at the General Court Martial in Makindye have been held under heavy security, with restricted access for the media.

This case is viewed as a major step in the UPDF’s internal accountability efforts.

It follows a Board of Inquiry into intelligence and counterterrorism operations led by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding.