Major General James Birungi
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Government operatives have arrested Major General James Birungi, the former Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), who is now being held at Makindye Military Police Prison.
According to military sources, the senior officer is expected to appear before the General Court Martial on charges that reportedly include treason, corruption, terrorism, and murder.
Birungi’s arrest follows an investigation ordered by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, into alleged misconduct within UPDF intelligence and counterterrorism operations.
The probe has been examining claims that some officers fabricated or exaggerated bomb threats in Kampala as a way of securing funds or concealing irregular activities. It also reviewed intelligence reports that falsely declared the death of ADF commander Meddie Nkalubo, which were issued during Birungi’s tenure at CMI.
He was picked up by security operatives on Friday night and transferred to Makindye, where he is currently detained.
Military sources said Birungi came under heightened scrutiny following the appointment of Maj Gen Richard Otto as the new head of Defence Intelligence.
Upon assuming office earlier this year, Otto initiated internal reviews that reportedly uncovered irregularities implicating Birungi and his close associates.
Those arrested alongside Birungi include Colonel Peter Ahimbisibwe, then Director of Counter Terrorism, and Lieutenant Colonel Ephraim Byaruhanga, Director of Special Operations.
The three are accused of presiding over operations that allegedly involved falsified intelligence and misappropriation of military resources.
This marks the first time a former CMI chief has been imprisoned. Earlier this year, Birungi was relieved of his role as head of CMI, briefly served as commander of the UPDF Mountain Division, and was later designated as a military attaché to Burundi—a posting he never formally assumed.
His removal comes amid a broader wave of purges led by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Gen Muhoozi, also First Son, has overseen the arrest of multiple senior officers, including Brigadier Bekunda Besigye of the Engineers Brigade, over corruption and project mismanagement.
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