News
Court grants bail to ex-CMI boss Maj. Gen. Birungi co-accused in treachery case
Maj. Gen. Birungi is due to return to court on July 31, 2026, for judgment.
Maj. Gen. James Birungi appears in the dock during court proceedings. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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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 over a failure to provide sureties.
Facing charges of offences relating to security and treachery, Birungi was arrested in August 2025 following a Board of Inquiry chaired by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding.
Maj. Gen. Birungi is due to return to court on July 31, 2026, for judgment.
Brigadier Richard Tukacungurwa chaired the court session at the Makindye General Court Martial.
His co-accused were, however, granted bail during the court session in Makindye on Tuesday, July 21.
Brig. Gen. James Ruhesi was released on bail set at sh10m cash and sh25m non-cash to be secured by sureties.
Maj. Innocent Mugumya, who faces the same charges, was granted bail of sh4m cash and sh10m non-cash with sureties.
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 in connection with allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to obtain operational funds.
Brig. Richard Tukacungurwa chairs the court session on July 21. (Courtesy)
His co-accused were, however, granted bail during the court session in Makindye on Tuesday, July 21.
Brig. Gen. James Ruhesi was released on bail set at sh10m cash and sh25m non-cash to be secured by sureties.
Maj. Innocent Mugumya, who faces the same charges, was granted bail of sh4m cash and sh10m non-cash with sureties.
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 in connection with allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to obtain operational funds.
A release from the ministry of defence and veterans affairs states that others remanded are: Col David Kidega and Capt. Kenneth Labwon Kinyera after they failed to provide sureties.
Both are expected to appear on July 31, 2026.
Also remanded is Lt Paddy Nahabwe was similarly remanded and will appear on August 31, 2026.
The alleged false intelligence is also linked to security operations in which civilians were shot and reportedly wrongly presented as suspected suicide bombers.
The different incidents occurred in June in Kampala at Kalerwe Market and in Munyonyo near the Catholic Shrine.
Proceedings at Makindye were conducted under tight security, with media access to the courtroom restricted.
Both are expected to appear on July 31, 2026.
Also remanded is Lt Paddy Nahabwe was similarly remanded and will appear on August 31, 2026.
The alleged false intelligence is also linked to security operations in which civilians were shot and reportedly wrongly presented as suspected suicide bombers.
The different incidents occurred in June in Kampala at Kalerwe Market and in Munyonyo near the Catholic Shrine.
Proceedings at Makindye were conducted under tight security, with media access to the courtroom restricted.