KAMPALA, Uganda — Former military intelligence chief Maj Gen James Birungi has been remanded to Makindye Military Barracks after being charged with treachery and offences relating to security before the General Court Martial, marking a dramatic escalation in the legal troubles facing one of Uganda’s most senior military officers.
Birungi appeared before the General Court Martial sitting at Makindye on Monday, nearly a year after his arrest in August 2025. The court, chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa, ordered that he remain in military custody until August 3, 2026, when he is expected to return for further proceedings.
The former commander of the Mountain Infantry Division and former head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) — now known as the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) — was arraigned alongside three other Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers.
Charges follow nearly a year in detention
Birungi’s court appearance comes almost 11 months after he was arrested following his removal from active command.
Military prosecutors formally charged him with treachery, one of Uganda’s most serious security-related offences, alongside additional charges linked to national security.
Details of the prosecution’s case remain limited because journalists were barred from covering portions of the proceedings inside the courtroom.
Military authorities also prohibited members of the media from photographing the accused.
Maj Alex Echeru, who supervises detention facilities at Makindye Military Barracks, led the security team that escorted Birungi to court and enforced the restrictions on media access.
Three other officers face separate murder charges
According to information available to the court, the three officers who appeared alongside Birungi face separate charges of murder arising from controversial security operations involving suspected suicide bombers.
The cases relate to two high-profile incidents:
- The shooting of a suspected bomber near the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs Day celebrations.
Authorities had not officially released the identities of all three officers by publication time, although one was identified as Byaruhanga.
From intelligence chief to accused officer
Birungi was once among the most influential officers in Uganda’s security establishment.
He served as head of the then Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), a powerful military intelligence agency responsible for domestic and external intelligence gathering.
In April 2025, he was transferred from CMI and appointed commander of the Mountain Infantry Division in a military reshuffle that saw Maj Gen Richard Otto take over the intelligence docket.
His tenure in the division proved short-lived.
Within months, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba removed him from the position before he was subsequently arrested in August 2025.
Allegations of false intelligence reports
Although the formal charge sheet has not yet been made public, military and security sources previously indicated that investigators were examining allegations that Birungi was involved in providing false intelligence reports.
The claims centred on reports relating to:
- Counterfeit fuel operations.
- Alleged terrorist threats and suspected suicide bombers.
- The alleged misuse of intelligence assessments to facilitate fraudulent access to government funds.
Those allegations had remained largely untested in court until Monday’s arraignment.
Neither Birungi nor his legal representatives publicly responded to the accusations during the court session.
Link to Besigye treason case
The prosecution carries additional significance because Birungi has previously been listed among the state witnesses in the treason case involving opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and Capt Denis Oola.
The trio face allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, charges they deny.
Birungi’s own prosecution on treachery charges introduces a striking twist, placing a former state witness in a position where he now faces accusations carrying similarly severe consequences.
Treachery charges carry severe penalties
Under Ugandan law, treachery is considered a grave national security offence.
Legal experts note that convictions for treachery and related offences can attract extremely harsh penalties, including life imprisonment or the death sentence, depending on the circumstances and applicable military law provisions.
Also Read: Museveni challenges Besigye to face treason trial instead of ‘court drama’
The case is likely to draw significant public and legal scrutiny because of Birungi’s senior military background and previous role within Uganda’s intelligence apparatus.
Growing focus on military justice
Birungi’s prosecution comes amid increased attention on Uganda’s military justice system following recent debates over the trial of civilians before military courts.
In January 2025, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that civilians should not be prosecuted before military tribunals, prompting major changes in how several high-profile cases are handled.
However, the ruling did not affect serving military personnel or officers subject to military law, meaning Birungi remains within the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial.
As the proceedings continue, questions are expected to focus on the evidence supporting the charges, the transparency of the military justice process and the broader implications for Uganda’s security establishment.
