Why former CMI chief Gen. Birungi was denied bail

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reported that Maj Gen. James Birungi, a former head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, was remanded to Makindye Military Barracks after the General Court Martial declined to release him on bail. According to the outlet, the court said Birungi had not presented sureties. He is expected back before the court on 31 July 2026, when judgment is due.

The case is before the General Court Martial sitting at Makindye and chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa. Watchdog Uganda reported that Birungi, who was arrested in August 2025, faces charges connected to security and treachery. He was arraigned with other Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces officers over allegations that false intelligence reports were used to secure operational funds.

The publisher further reported that the alleged fabricated intelligence has been linked to security operations in which civilians were shot and later wrongly described as suspected suicide bombers, including incidents at Kalerwe Market and near the Catholic Shrine in Munyonyo during Martyrs’ Day events. The report did not provide the defendants’ responses to the allegations.

In the same proceedings, Brig Gen James Ruhesi and Maj Innocent Mugumya were granted bail with cash and non-cash terms backed by sureties. Col David Kidega and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera were also remanded after failing to provide sureties and are expected on 31 July 2026, while Lt Paddy Nahabwe was remanded until 31 August 2026. Watchdog Uganda said the matter follows a UPDF Board of Inquiry led by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, and noted tight security and restricted media access at Makindye.