Four senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have asked the General Court Martial in Makindye to release them on bail as they await trial over allegations of fuel theft linked to military operations.
The officers — Brig Gen James Barigye Ruheesi, Col David Ociti Kidega, Maj Innocent Kikongi Mugumya and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera — are accused of unlawfully diverting fuel intended for military use.
They appeared before a panel of military judges chaired by Brig Richard Tukacungurwa and denied charges of engaging in personal interests prejudicial to operational efficiency, an offence under Section 122(b) of the UPDF Act.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and December 2023, the officers diverted about 270,000 litres of automotive gas oil allocated to the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre in Jinja while operating in Kampala and Jinja.
Following their plea, the four officers applied for bail.
The prosecution team, comprising Capt Gift Mubehamwe, Capt Alex Lasto Mukhwana and 2nd Lt Regina Nanzala, was granted until June 29, 2026, to file its response to the bail applications. Defence lawyers are expected to submit their rejoinders on the same date.
Lawyers representing Brig Gen Barigye, who prosecutors describe as the key suspect in the case, argued that their client had spent more than a year in detention before being formally brought before court.
Represented by Maj Busagwa Nsubuga and civilian lawyer Ronald Musiime, Barigye told the court he is over 60 years old and suffers from asthma and diabetes. The defence further argued that his health had deteriorated following the death of his mother, whose burial he reportedly missed while in custody.
The defence also cited his more than 40 years of service in the military and presented several sureties, including former Chief of Citizenship and Immigration Control Maj Gen Apollo Kasita Gowa, retired Brig Jeff Mukasa and a family member.
Lawyers for the four officers argued that the offences are bailable and that all the accused are first-time offenders.
Col Kidega presented his wife, brother and fellow officer Col Ocen as sureties. Maj Mugumya was supported by his brother and fellow military officers, while Capt Kinyera presented his wife and another UPDF officer.
The court heard that all sureties had pledged to ensure the accused return for trial whenever required.
The case comes amid a wider anti-corruption drive within the military.
In April 2025, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba wrote on X: “I arrested a General who has been stealing fuel for about three years. There are more to follow.”
Investigators believe fuel supplies intended for the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre were systematically diverted, raising concerns about the operational effectiveness of the unit.
The alleged fuel theft is reported to have cost the government billions of shillings over a three-year period.
Several other senior military officers are also under investigation over separate corruption-related allegations within the UPDF. Among them is former CMI director Maj Gen James Birungi, who was arrested in 2025 and is yet to appear in court to answer charges.
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
