Former Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. James Birungi, was arrested over the weekend and detained at Makindye Military Police Prison over allegations of treason, corruption, and compromised intelligence operations.
According to reports, Birungi’s arrest stems from findings of a high-level board of inquiry chaired by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding. The inquiry uncovered serious lapses within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) intelligence directorate, including falsified reports, abuse of resources, and operational misconduct linked to Birungi and his associates.
Reports allege that Birungi, together with Col. Peter Ahimbisibwe (former Director of Counter Terrorism) and Lt. Col. Ephraim Byaruhanga (Director of Special Operations), presided over operations involving manipulated intelligence and misappropriation of military resources.
The most damaging episode under Birungi’s tenure was the botched intelligence report in 2023, when the UPDF announced that notorious ADF commander Meddie Nkalubo had been killed in an airstrike in eastern DRC. The report, endorsed by Birungi, was later proven false after Nkalubo resurfaced and was linked to fresh militant activity. The misinformation, which even formed part of a presidential address, is now a central issue in the case against him.
Reports reveal that investigators are also probing whether Birungi and his team knowingly relied on compromised sources. One such informant, Hamza Lyavaraa, suspected of being an ADF collaborator, allegedly planted false intelligence that misled UPDF leadership. Lyavaraa is now in custody and under interrogation.
Birungi is expected to face the General Court Martial on charges that could carry severe consequences for him and his co-accused.
