New General Court Martial chief Tukacungurwa pledges to uphold justice
“A soldier who knows that justice will be administered fairly is more secure, more loyal and more committed to service. A court that commands respect within the military must itself operate in accordance with justice, transparency and integrity,” Abodo said.
Brig. Gen Richard Tukacungurwa pledged on January 7, 2026, as all General Court Martial (GCM) members were being sworn in at the Supreme Court conference hall in Kampala city.
KAMPALA - The newly appointed General Court Martial (GCM) chairperson has pledged to uphold justice, adhere to the Constitution and the law.
Brig. Gen Richard Tukacungurwa pledged on January 7, 2026, as all General Court Martial (GCM) members were being sworn in at the Supreme Court conference hall in Kampala city.
The swearing-in followed their appointment by President Yoweri Museveni on November 25, 2025, under the UPDF Act, upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
This is the first time Court Martial members have been sworn in under the supervision of the Judiciary, unlike previously, when such ceremonies were conducted within the military.
Kilyowa Kiwanuka
President Museveni appointed Tukacungurwa as chairperson of GCM, replacing Brig. Freeman Robert Mugabe. Other members are Col. Simon Wankandya, Col. Asha Patra, Col. Fredrick Kangwamu, Lt. Col. Nasser Drago Igambi, Maj. Denis Chemtai, Maj. Samuel Moses Amodoi, Maj. Emmanuel Arihaihi and Maj. Abubaker Nyombi.
Division and unit court martial chairpersons: Lt. Col. David Drani Epalu (Fourth Division) and Lt. Col. Mulyanti Yaqoub Hassan (One Special Forces Group) were also sworn in.
The ceremony also saw members of the leadership code tribunal sworn in. Presiding over the ceremony, Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo said strong discipline and fair justice were not opposing principles but reinforced one another.
Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo
“A soldier who knows that justice will be administered fairly is more secure, more loyal and more committed to service. A court that commands respect within the military must itself operate in accordance with justice, transparency and integrity,” Abodo said.
She told the members that as they assume those weighty responsibilities, they should solemnly commit themselves to act with impartiality.
“You must avoid actions or associations that may give rise to a perception of bias, you must refrain from public commentary on matters before you, and you must always bear in mind that judicial authority derives solely from the constitutional mandate and is exercised on behalf of the people of Uganda,” Abodo said.
Lt. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, the Chief of Joint Staff.
She said the Judiciary was ready to support and guide the strengthening of judicial standards within military courts and the Leadership Code Tribunal.
Lt. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, the Chief of Joint Staff, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, thanked the justices of the Supreme Court for passing the judgment in the case of Michael Kabaziguruka on January 31, 2025.
He said the judgment led to the restructuring of the courts martial and the subsequent appointment of officers who had just taken oath.
He thanked the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, and his team for the tremendous efforts in the process of making the UPDF Amendment Act, 2025, a success.