Patriotic league chief Kainerugaba fires Michael Katungi after US indictment

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Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairperson Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has stripped Lt (rtd) Michael Katungi of his organisation title after the US indictment for conspiring to supply military-grade weapons to one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal outfits.

Muhoozi, who is also the country’s Chief of Defence Forces and the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, announced his decision to fire Katungi on August 13, 2025, via X, formerly Twitter.

CDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. (File)

“I have decided to remove Michael Katungi as commissioner external affairs of PLU. He is also removed as a member of our Central Committee. From now on, only the Chairman will appoint the foreign committees of our movement,” he posted.

Katungi and three others from Bulgaria, Kenya and Tanzania are accused of supplying arms to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).

The three others are: Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, a Bulgaria-based arms dealer; Elisha Odhiambo Asumo, a Kenyan national, and Subiro Osmund Mwapinga from Tanzania.

Katungi told New Vision Online in an interview on August 11, 2026, that he had not received any formal information or notification from any official authority regarding the indictment.

“I am unaware of any such proceedings or allegations as reported in the media related to an alleged illegal arms deal. I take all allegations of this nature very seriously and believe in the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence,” he said.

He argued that without formal notification or details of any such indictment, he was unable to comment further on the specifics of the allegations reported.

“I am also compelled to note that a certain narrative appears to be aimed at maligning my reputation,” Katungi said.

About the indictment

The indictment, filed on April 10, 2025, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, details a sophisticated conspiracy involving arms trafficking, drug distribution and terrorism financing.

The accused face charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.