Four senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been sent back to military detention over allegations of diverting large quantities of fuel meant for operations.
The officers— Brigadier General James Barigye Ruheesi, Colonel David Ociti Kidega, Major Innocent Kikongi Mugumya, and Captain Kenneth Labwon Kinyera—appeared before the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye.
A panel led by Brigadier General Richard Tukacungurwa heard that the group is accused of misusing fuel supplies intended for the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and December 2023, the officers diverted about 270,000 litres of diesel for personal benefit, actions said to have undermined military readiness.
All four denied the charge, which relates to engaging in personal interests that compromise operational efficiency.
The prosecution, led by Raphael Mugisha, told the court that investigations are almost complete and asked for more time, requesting that the accused remain in custody at the Makindye Military Police facility.
Defence lawyer Simon Busagwa Nsubuga did not oppose the adjournment but urged the court to order disclosure of evidence to allow proper trial preparation. The request was rejected, with the court directing that disclosures would come after investigations are finalized.
The court remanded the officers until May 29, 2026.
Brig. Gen. Ruheesi, considered the key suspect, has been in detention since April 2025 after being arrested on the orders of Muhoozi Kainerugaba. At the time, the army chief publicly indicated that more arrests could follow as investigations into fuel theft within the force expanded.
Investigators say the suspected diversion happened at the Rapid Deployment Capability Centre in Jinja, where fuel stocks reportedly fell short despite regular allocations. The unit plays a critical role in emergency response, and the alleged losses—running into billions of shillings—have raised concerns about its operational capacity.
