Katungi is indicted alongside Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, Elisha Odhiambo Asumo, and a Subiro Osmund Mwapinga over an alleged $58 million arms-for-cartel conspiracy involving military-grade weaponry bound for a Mexican drug cartel.
Kampala, Uganda:– Michael Katungi Mpeirwe, a senior figure in Uganda’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), is now a fugitive wanted by U.S. authorities. He is accused of conspiring to supply military-grade weapons—valued at approximately $58 million—to Mexico’s feared Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
The indictment, unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, names Katungi alongside Bulgarian national Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, Kenyan national Elisha Odhiambo Asumo, and Tanzanian national Subiro Osmund Mwapinga for the alleged conspiracy.
Known for his security and diplomatic roles within Ugandan circles, Katungi served as deputy head of mission at Uganda’s High Commission and has advised the African Union in countries like Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
In 2024, he emerged politically as the diaspora head of the PLU—Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s civic movement turned league, giving him an upper hand, perhaps to exploit his deals further.
But on August 10, 2025, U.S. prosecutors unsealed an indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia, charging Katungi and three others with allegedly supplying military-grade weaponry—including machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, sniper rifles, anti-aircraft weapons, and night vision equipment—to the CJNG, designated a foreign terrorist organisation in February 2025 .
Prosecutors allege a test shipment of 50 AK-47 assault rifles was smuggled from Bulgaria using falsified End-User Certificates from Tanzania to disguise the real destination of the weapons. The alleged arms pipeline reportedly extended to include surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft drones .
Katungi Denies the Allegations
Katungi, currently at large, has publicly rejected the charges, dismissing them as politically motivated smears. He told ChimpReports the accusations are “mere accusations” and wrote off suggestions to “ignore with contempt deserved”.
“Ignore with contempt deserved, malicious accusations,” Lt Katungi replied in a WhatsApp message.
But more questions emerged as Katungi last Thursday cancelled his planned visit to the US next month to meet a section of the Ugandans in the diaspora. It was not clear whether the indictment had any bearing on the timing of the cancellation.
“This is to notify all our members, especially the @Plugandaa US chapter, about the postponement of our September convention. Being an election year, we need to consolidate all our efforts on the re-election of our beloved CIC and @NRMOnline Chairman. We need all hands on deck,” Katungi posted on his X account on August 7, 2025.
“It will take place mid-next year, 2026, in Michigan [USA] with the same organising committee under Griffin Kahakani and Team. More members will be brought on board and assigned. I thank you,” he added.
Mr David Kabanda, the PLU secretary general, and the MP for Kasambya County, described the indictment of his member as blackmail.
“Yes, PLU will investigate the source of the blackmail and the intention plus the sponsors,” Mr Kabanda said on August 10 when contacted about the matter.
If convicted, Katungi and co-accused could face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with sentences extending up to life imprisonment – a testament to the severity of the allegations and their global reach.
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