MUBENDE, Uganda — Colonel James Kasule, the 2nd Deputy Divisional Commander in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has been arrested to assist investigators in unraveling an alleged armed robbery and kidnapping incident targeting a gold dealer in Mubende District.
According to security sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, the incident transpired on Saturday when Col. Kasule and an accompanying group of soldiers reportedly seized a gold dealer under unexplained circumstances.
It is suspected that the dealer was carrying a substantial amount of cash derived from recent gold sales. Following the seizure, the gold dealer was allegedly compelled to contact associates to transfer funds to his mobile money accounts, from which the money was subsequently withdrawn.
Sources further suggest that Kasule himself might have been defrauded in an illicit gold transaction, prompting him to allegedly take matters into his own hands to recover his losses.
In a development that has reportedly caused significant embarrassment within military authorities, investigators later discovered Col. Kasule’s official military vehicle at the crime scene, providing crucial evidence that directly links him to the alleged operation.
The presence of the official vehicle at the location has raised additional questions regarding whether the officer misused his official capacity and state resources to facilitate the alleged criminal activity.
Following his arrest, Col. Kasule was transferred to Makindye Military Barracks, where he remains in detention as investigations continue. Sources indicate that if the allegations are substantiated by investigators, Kasule could face multiple charges, including armed robbery, kidnapping, abuse of office, and extortion.
Efforts to obtain immediate comment from the military spokesperson were unsuccessful. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye stated he had just resumed his duties after an extended leave and was yet to obtain information about the matter. An internal disciplinary inquiry is reportedly underway, running parallel to the police investigations.
Col. Kasule, who was scheduled to retire from active service next year, has held several sensitive command positions throughout his distinguished military career. He previously commanded the UPDF Mountain Brigade and later served as the operations commander of Operation Shujaa in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
His alleged involvement in such serious criminal conduct has sparked uncomfortable questions within security circles regarding what some perceive as growing instances of indiscipline, corruption, and criminal infiltration within certain segments of the armed forces.
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Security analysts caution that this case may signal a broader systemic issue.
“We are beginning to see more incidents where some officers, particularly those nearing retirement, engage in rogue operations or abuse their positions to accumulate quick wealth,” remarked one military source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject. “It undermines public trust in the security forces and poses a serious national security concern.”
Uganda’s gold trade, much of which operates informally and with insufficient regulation, has long been a magnet for criminal enterprises, including smuggling, fraud, and violent extortion.
The incident in Mubende, a region known for its small-scale gold mining activity, underscores the persistent vulnerabilities surrounding this lucrative sector.
At the time of publication, it remained unclear whether any accomplices linked to Col. Kasule had also been apprehended.
