By our Report
Former Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), Maj. Gen. James Birungi, is expected to appear before Uganda’s General Court Martial on Monday to face charges reportedly including treason, terrorism, corruption, and murder, nearly a year after his arrest and detention at Makindye Military Police Prison.
Maj. Gen. Birungi was arrested in August 2025 following a high-level military investigation into a series of suspected improvised explosive device (IED) incidents that were discovered or detonated in and around Kampala. The incidents had initially been attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group originating from Uganda and currently operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to military and security sources, subsequent investigations reportedly raised concerns over the credibility of some of the alleged bombing incidents and the intelligence assessments that linked them to the ADF. The investigations are said to have examined the handling of intelligence information and operational procedures within the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS) directorate.
A board of inquiry, reportedly chaired by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, is understood to have identified what investigators described as irregularities in intelligence operations, including alleged manipulation of threat assessments and other operational shortcomings. The inquiry reportedly recommended disciplinary and legal action against Maj. Gen. Birungi and several other officers.
While military authorities have confirmed that charges are expected to be brought before the General Court Martial, they have not publicly disclosed detailed evidence supporting the allegations. It also remains unclear how the charges of treason, terrorism, corruption, and murder are specifically connected to the findings of the intelligence investigation.
Maj. Gen. Birungi is a veteran intelligence officer who previously headed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, now known as the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS). During his tenure, he oversaw several of Uganda’s intelligence and counter-terrorism operations.
His arrest attracted significant public attention within Uganda’s security establishment, marking one of the most high-profile cases involving a former head of military intelligence.
The anticipated court appearance comes shortly after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed a new panel of the General Court Martial, restoring the tribunal’s operations after months of uncertainty over its composition and paving the way for several pending military cases to proceed.
As the case moves before the General Court Martial, the charges against Maj. Gen. Birungi remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with the law.