Major General James Birungi, the former head of Uganda’s military intelligence, has been remanded by the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye on charges of treachery and other offences linked to national security.
Birungi, who previously served as Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI)—now restructured as the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS)—was arraigned before the military court on Monday, nearly a year after his arrest in August 2025.
His appearance marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention within Uganda’s security and political circles.
The court session was presided over by Brigadier General Richard Tukacungurwa, who chairs the panel handling the matter.
Proceedings began shortly after Birungi and three other Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers were escorted into the courtroom at approximately 10:37 a.m. under tight security.
During the session, the prosecution formally presented charges against the senior military officer, outlining allegations tied to acts considered prejudicial to national security.
While details of the accusations were not fully disclosed in open court, the charges of treachery suggest serious breaches under Uganda’s military and criminal laws.
The court martial ordered that Birungi and his co-accused be remanded as investigations and legal processes continue.
The case is expected to proceed in subsequent sittings, with the prosecution likely to present further evidence to support the charges.
Birungi’s arraignment comes amid increased scrutiny of Uganda’s military intelligence operations, particularly following internal restructuring that saw the transition from CMI to DIS.