Four senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been arraigned before the General Court Martial in Makindye over allegations of diverting large quantities of operational fuel for personal use, raising fresh concerns about accountability in military logistics.
The accused—Brigadier General James Barigye Ruheesi, Colonel David Ocitti Kidega, Major Innocent Kikongo Mugumya, and Captain Kenneth Labwon Kinyera—appeared before a court chaired by Brigadier General Richard Tukachungurwa, where they denied all charges.
The court adjourned the case to May 29, 2026, for mention as investigations continue.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and December 2023, the officers irregularly diverted fuel intended for military operations in Kampala and Jinja for personal use. Initial charges reference approximately 27,000 litres of diesel, but investigators have since expanded the probe, linking the accused to a wider scheme involving up to 270,000 litres under scrutiny.
According to the prosecution, the officers—being subject to military law—are accused of misusing operational logistics in a manner that undermines discipline and order within the defence forces.
The suspects were arrested earlier in 2026 following a joint investigation by military intelligence and internal UPDF oversight bodies. The operation reportedly followed directives from the Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as part of an ongoing crackdown on corruption and abuse of office within the military.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that the case was triggered by discrepancies in fuel accountability records, which revealed possible diversion of supplies meant for official operations. Subsequent audits uncovered irregular documentation and unexplained fuel withdrawals across multiple units.
The case is part of a broader effort by UPDF leadership to strengthen accountability and enforce stricter controls over logistics, particularly fuel supplies vital to operational readiness.
Proceedings are expected to attract significant public attention due to the senior ranks of the accused and the scale of the alleged diversion, which could have far-reaching implications for transparency and resource management within the military if proven.
