The General Court Martial sitting at Makindye, chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa has denied bail to the former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) now the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Maj Gen James Birungi, after his surety failed to turn up in court during his bail hearing on Monday.
Maj Gen Birungi who previously served as Chief of Military Intelligence before 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.
He has been remanded until September 24, 2026, when the case will come up again for bail application.
Two Civilians Sentenced to Two years imprisonment for Illegal Possession Of Military Stores
In a related development, the same court charged two civilians, Nsubuga Benjamin and Asiimwe Benson, with unlawful wearing of army uniform and illegal possession of a firearm.
The duo were found guilty on their own plea and sentenced to two years imprisonment and will serve their sentences at Kitalya and Gulu prisons respectively.
Brig Gen Tukachungurwa, also presided over the case of one Ochan Robert Othieno, who is facing charges of unlawful possession of military clothing, he was remanded to the Makindye detention centre until September 28, 2026.
