Kampala, Uganda: Major General James Birungi, the former head of Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), has been arrested and detained at Makindye Military Police Prison, DailyExpress understands.
Gen Birungi, who was recently dropped as CMI Boss, is set to face trial before the General Court Martial on multiple charges, including treason, corruption, terrorism, and murder.
Sources this publication spoke to say Birungi’s arrest follows findings from a high-level board of inquiry led by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, which investigated alleged breaches within UPDF intelligence and counterterrorism operations.
The inquiry reportedly uncovered serious irregularities, including manipulation of intelligence reports and misuse of operational funds.
Birungi was taken into custody on Friday night. Security officials indicate that this arrest is part of a broader internal review aimed at cleaning up the UPDF’s intelligence arms.
The board of inquiry is also probing controversial reports about ADF commander Meddie Nkalubo, whose supposed death in a drone strike was later disproved, a claim allegedly endorsed by Birungi during his tenure as CMI head.
Top security chiefs, including Maj Gen Richard Otto, Maj Gen Christopher Ddamulira, Brig Gen Tom Magambo, and Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, are part of the ongoing investigation.
Gen Birungi’s detention marks the first imprisonment of a former CMI head following dismissal and comes amid a series of recent UPDF purges under Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
This publication also understands that several senior officers have since been dismissed and others detained over alleged corruption and financial mismanagement in recent months.
Source say more arrests and prosecutions are likely as the board of inquiry finalizes its findings.
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