Former head of military intelligence, Maj. Gen. James Birungi, has been remanded to Makindye Military Barracks after the General Court Martial denied his application for bail, citing his failure to present suitable sureties.
This ruling marks the latest development in one of Uganda’s highest-profile military prosecutions in recent years, involving a senior officer who once headed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and now known as the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS).
According to military court officials, Birungi will remain in custody as proceedings continue. His co-accused were granted bail after satisfying the court’s requirements, while Birungi was ordered back to military detention.
Maj. Gen. Birungi has held several influential positions within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). He served as commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC) before being appointed head of military intelligence in 2022. In 2025, he was transferred to command the Mountain Infantry Division before later being reassigned.
His arrest in 2025 followed an internal military investigation reportedly led by senior UPDF officers into alleged irregularities within the intelligence establishment. The inquiry is said to have uncovered concerns over intelligence operations and other alleged misconduct, paving the way for criminal proceedings before the General Court Martial.
Earlier reports linked the broader investigation to allegations involving intelligence manipulation, terrorism, corruption and other offences, although the evidence is yet to be fully tested during trial. Birungi has not been convicted, and the charges remain before the court.
Court proceedings have attracted significant public attention because of Birungi’s former role overseeing Uganda’s military intelligence operations, one of the country’s most powerful security institutions.
Under Uganda’s military justice system, applicants seeking bail are generally required to present credible sureties who can guarantee that they will appear in court when required.
General Court Martial ruled that Birungi had failed to meet that requirement and ordered his continued detention at Makindye Military Barracks.
The case is expected to return to court in the coming weeks as proceedings continue.
Prosecution comes amid wider efforts by the UPDF leadership to investigate alleged misconduct within sections of the military intelligence establishment.
Analysts say the case is one of the most significant legal proceedings involving a serving senior Ugandan military officer in recent years because it concerns a former intelligence chief with extensive influence over national security operations.
