The General Court Martial in Makindye has remanded Maj Gen James Mugabe Birungi to detention until September 24, 2026, after his surety failed to appear in court to stand for him in his bail application. Maj Gen Birungi, who has been appearing before the military court, was remanded to the Makindye Military Police barracks detention facility on Monday. His bail application hearing will continue on Thursday, September 24.
The court, chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukachungurwa, is the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ (UPDF) highest military judicial body. It handles capital and disciplinary cases involving senior officers and other persons subject to military law. The proceedings also saw two civilians, identified as A1 Nsubuga Benjamin and A2 Asiimwe Benson, convicted after pleading guilty to charges of unlawful wearing of army uniform and illegal possession of a firearm.
The court sentenced each of the two men to two years in prison. Nsubuga will serve his sentence at Kitalya Prison, while Asiimwe will be held at Gulu Prison. In a separate case, the court remanded Ochan Robert Othieno until September 28, 2026, over charges of unlawful possession of military clothing.
Othieno was ordered to remain at the Makindye detention centre pending further proceedings. The cases are being handled by the General Court Martial as part of its mandate to adjudicate offences involving military personnel and other individuals subject to military law, as well as cases involving civilians charged before the military tribunal.
The court’s decisions come as it continues hearings in several cases involving alleged offences related to military uniforms, firearms and other military property. Further proceedings in Maj Gen Birungi’s case are expected on September 24, when the court will resume consideration of his bail application.