Muhoozi Marks Two Years as CDF with Crackdown on Senior Officers Over Corruption

At least 20 senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers have been arrested in an ongoing anti-corruption purge since Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba assumed leadership as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) two years ago.

Gen Kainerugaba, who marked his second anniversary in office last week, has overseen a period characterised by what the military describes as strategic transformation, enhanced operational readiness, and strengthened civil-military relations.

The arrested officers are currently being held at Makindye Military Barracks and Kasenyi Barracks in Entebbe following orders from the CDF.

Recent Arrests

Last Thursday, Gen Kainerugaba ordered the arrest of Maj Gen Don William Nabaasa and Brig Johnson Namanaya Abaho over alleged corruption-related offences. The arrest order was reportedly addressed to the chief inspector of armed forces, who also serves as deputy CDF, Lt Gen Sam Okiding.

Among the most prominent arrests was that of former Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), Maj Gen James Birungi, who faces allegations of treason, corruption, and mishandling of intelligence operations. His detention raised significant questions about accountability within Uganda’s military intelligence sector.

According to reports, Birungi’s arrest followed findings from a high-level board of inquiry chaired by Lt Gen Okiding, which revealed significant lapses in the UPDF intelligence directorate, including falsified reports, misuse of sources, and operational misconduct linked to Birungi and his associates.

Other Officers Detained

Other senior officers arrested over the past two years include:

· Brig Gen Cyrus Bekunda – former Joint Staff Chief for the UPDF Engineering Brigade, arrested over alleged corruption
· Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga – former Director of Special Operations within the Defence Intelligence and Security, arrested over alleged treason and corruption
· Col Godfrey Tukamwaki – commander of the UPDF Engineering Brigade, arrested over corruption-related offences
· Col Peter Ahimbisibwe – former Director of Counter Terrorism, arrested over alleged treason and corruption
· Col Patrick Ssemakula – former Chief of Communication and IT (CCIT), arrested over espionage allegations but later released

Investigators claim that Birungi, alongside Col Ahimbisibwe and Lt Col Byaruhanga, oversaw operations where intelligence was manipulated and military resources misused.

Focus on Logistics and Procurement

According to highly placed sources, investigations are focusing on the UPDF’s Logistics Department, where officers stand accused of orchestrating fraudulent schemes involving phantom supplies, inflated procurement budgets, kickbacks, and substandard deliveries.

One source indicated that some officers are being held over allegations of accepting a $300,000 (approximately Shs1.1 billion) bribe from a Southern African Development Community (SADC) country to monitor UPDF communication systems.

Additionally, authorities informed this publication that one general officer and three colonels were arrested in connection with fraud involving aircraft spare parts and fuel procurement. Sources say officials misused over Shs1 billion meant for aircraft maintenance by inflating prices or delivering fewer parts than ordered. Gen Muhoozi reportedly assigned Col Ddamulira Sseruyange, director of Intelligence at Special Forces Command, to lead that investigation.

Broader Context

The UPDF has long been plagued by corruption, with President Museveni himself previously decrying the practice and its detrimental impact on operational efficiency.

Gen Muhoozi’s anti-corruption push is seen as part of a broader effort to professionalise the armed forces. While the UPDF has confirmed the arrests and ongoing investigations, the detained officers have not yet appeared before courts of law.