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The General Court Martial sitting at Makindye has remanded four senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) over allegations of large-scale fuel misappropriation, in a case that has raised fresh concerns about accountability within the military.
The officers Brig Gen James Barigye Ruheesi, Col David Ociti Kidega, Maj Innocent Kikongi Mugumya, and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera appeared before a military panel chaired by Brig Richard Tukacungurwa.
They face charges of conduct prejudicial to operational efficiency under Section 122(b) of the UPDF Act.According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly diverted approximately 270,000 litres of automotive gas oil between July 2022 and December 2023.
The fuel was reportedly designated for use at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre in Jinja, a critical unit tasked with responding swiftly to national and regional emergencies.
State prosecutors told court that the alleged scheme resulted in significant operational gaps, with the facility reportedly receiving less fuel than allocated over an extended period.
This, they argued, may have undermined the unit’s readiness to respond to urgent missions.All four officers denied the charges.
The prosecution team, led by Col Raphael Mugisha, requested additional time to conclude investigations, noting that inquiries are in advanced stages. They asked court to keep the accused in custody at the Makindye military police detention facility pending completion of the probe.
Defence counsel Maj Simon Busagwa Nsubuga did not oppose the adjournment but urged court to compel the state to disclose evidence to allow adequate trial preparation.
However, the court declined the request, ruling that disclosure would be addressed after investigations are finalized.
The officers were remanded until May 29, 2026.Brig Gen Ruheesi, described by prosecutors as the principal suspect, was arrested in April 2025 on orders of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
He has reportedly been in detention for nearly a year before making his first court appearance in the matter.
At the time of the arrest, Gen Kainerugaba signaled a wider crackdown on corruption within the armed forces, stating publicly that more arrests could follow.
Preliminary findings suggest the alleged fuel diversion occurred systematically over several months, with investigators estimating losses running into billions of shillings.
Authorities say the case is part of a broader effort to strengthen transparency and discipline within the military, amid growing scrutiny of resource management in key defense institutions.
The proceedings are expected to continue as investigators finalize their findings and prepare for full trial.
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