A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing legal and political battle surrounding opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, after senior military intelligence officers linked to his controversial abduction were themselves detained and charged before Uganda’s General Court Martial.
Lawyer Eron Kiiza revealed that the officers who allegedly participated in the abduction of Besigye—and are expected to serve as key prosecution witnesses—are now facing serious criminal charges, including treason, terrorism, corruption, and murder.
According to Kiiza, former Chief of Military Intelligence Major General James Birungi was arrested alongside two senior officers, Colonel Peter Ahimbisibwe and Lieutenant Colonel Ephraim Byaruhanga.
The trio was reportedly detained at Makindye Military Police Prison on August 29, 2025, following a high-level internal investigation into alleged misconduct within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“The officers who abducted Besigye—and a witness lined up to testify against him—have themselves been detained over the fabrication of intelligence,” Kiiza stated.
The arrests are said to stem from a probe led by Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, which uncovered alleged widespread irregularities in military intelligence operations.
The officers are accused of falsifying intelligence reports, including claims surrounding counter-terrorism operations.
Among the incidents cited is a 2023 operation in which the trio allegedly reported that Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) bomb-maker Meddie Nkalubo had been killed in an airstrike.
Investigations later indicated that the suspect was still alive and operational, raising concerns over the credibility of intelligence used in security operations.
In addition to falsified intelligence, the officers are also accused of misusing military resources, with audits reportedly revealing significant financial irregularities.
The development has drawn attention due to its direct link to Besigye’s ongoing legal challenge. Kiiza noted that Ahimbisibwe and Byaruhanga are among the respondents in a case filed by Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale before the High Court in Kampala.
The application challenges their alleged abduction from Nairobi in November 2024 and subsequent detention in a military facility.
The petition further questions the legality of holding civilians in ungazetted military detention centers and accuses authorities of denying the detainees access to legal representation, family, and medical care.
“The rule of law is not a favour the State grants. It is a duty the Constitution imposes,” Kiiza said.
The case continues to generate debate over due process, military accountability, and the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda’s justice system.