By Our Investigative Sources
Major General James Birungi, the former head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) military intelligence unit, has been arrested and is now detained at Makindye Military Police Prison. Birungi is set to face trial before a General Court Martial, charged with a slew of serious offenses, including treason, corruption, terrorism, and murder.
His arrest comes after a comprehensive investigation led by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding. The inquiry, launched in response to mounting concerns about compromised intelligence operations and internal misconduct within the UPDF, uncovered significant abuse of resources, operational manipulation, and widespread misinformation that undermined national security.
The Investigation’s Revelations
Military sources reveal that the investigation intensified following the appointment of Major General Richard Otto as head of Defence Intelligence earlier this year. Otto, known for his strict stance on accountability, conducted internal audits which flagged irregularities implicating Birungi and several close associates within CMI. According to the findings, Birungi’s actions had undermined the integrity of Uganda’s military intelligence apparatus.
Those arrested alongside Birungi include Colonel Peter Ahimbisibwe, former Director of Counter Terrorism, and Lieutenant Colonel Ephraim Byaruhanga, former Director of Special Operations. These individuals are accused of being involved in orchestrating operations that involved falsified intelligence reports and the improper use of military resources for personal or political gain.
Misinformation and Failed Operations
The investigation has also cast a spotlight on a 2023 intelligence failure, in which the UPDF falsely claimed that ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) commander Meddie Nkalubo had been killed in a DRC-based airstrike. The claim was publicly endorsed by Birungi and used in an official presidential speech, but it was later exposed as a lie when Nkalubo reappeared in intelligence reports, raising questions about the accuracy and reliability of the CMI leadership under Birungi’s command.
Further investigations are now focused on whether the misinformation was deliberately planted by Hamza Lyavaraa, a suspected ADF collaborator who posed as an informant within the UPDF. Lyavaraa was arrested and is currently under interrogation, with officials keen to determine the extent of his role in manipulating military intelligence.
Birungi’s arrest is part of a broader campaign orchestrated by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Kainerugaba, who has spearheaded efforts to revamp the military, has overseen a series of high-profile arrests in recent months. Among those detained is Brigadier Bekunda Besigye of the Engineers Brigade, who is facing charges related to corruption and mismanagement.
A Military Purge in the Making?
As the investigation into Birungi and his associates unfolds, the UPDF leadership appears committed to purging individuals suspected of corruption and inefficiency. While the full scope of the scandal remains to be seen, the charges against Birungi and his colleagues have sent shockwaves through the military community, raising concerns about the depth of the corruption within Uganda’s military intelligence sector.
Military analysts suggest that Birungi’s downfall may be the first of many as the UPDF works to restore its tarnished image and improve internal accountability. However, whether these efforts will be successful in curbing deeper systemic issues within the military remains to be seen.
With the eyes of the nation on the upcoming trial, the Ugandan military finds itself at a crossroads—struggling to reconcile its past mistakes while striving to reclaim the trust of the Ugandan people.
