The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has pardoned the former the former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) now the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Maj Gen James Birungi on treachery charges and ordered his release.
In a post on his X account on Thursday, Gen Muhoozi acknowledged that Birungi had committed great crimes against Uganda and should face punishment, however Muhoozi has decided to forgive Birungi, since he is a firm believer in Jesus Christ, who taught forgiveness in his ministry.
“MG.Birungi committed great crimes against our army and people. He should rightly have faced a very severe sentence” he said.
He added, “However, I believe in Jesus Christ who always teaches forgiveness. Christ forgave me, who I’m I not to forgive myself. I have forgiven him. We will release him soon”.
Maj Gen Birungi, who is currently in remand following his arrest in August 2025, faces charges of treachery and offences related to security case against him and several other Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers in connection with allegations that fabricated intelligence reports were used to obtain operational funds.
The alleged false intelligence is also linked to security operations in which civilians were shot and wrongly presented as suspected suicide bombers, including incidents at Kalerwe Market and near the Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs’ Day celebrations.
