Gen Barigye among four senior UPDF officers remanded over theft of 270,000 litres of fuel

Four senior Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) officers have been remanded to Makindye Military Barracks on charges of misusing operational fuel for their personal gain.

Brig Gen James Barigye Ruheesi, 60; Col David Ocitti Kidega, 52; Maj Innocent Kikongi Mugumya, 41 and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera, 37, on Monday appeared before the General Court Martial in Makindye for plea taking.

They were charged with theft of 270,000 litres of automotive gas oil which the UPDF leadership said endangered operational efficiency.

Brg Gen Barigye was at the time of the alleged offence attached to Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Center (URDCC) at Gaddafi barracks in Jinja as the Commandant; Col Kidega was attached to Joint Staff Logistics (JS-LOG) as staff officer Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants; Maj Mugumya was attached to URDCC as a transport officer while Capt Kinyera was attached to UPDF Joint Staff Health Services (JSHS) as a Procurement Officer.

The four were arraigned before a three-member court panel chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa and charged with one offense of personal interests endangering operational efficiency Contrary to Section 122 (b) of the UPDF Act Cap. 330 as Amended.

The Court heard that the four officers between July 2022 and December 2023 in Kampala and Jinja cities misused for personal interest about 270,000 litres of automotive gas oil (AGO), supplies meant for warming heavy operation equipment of URDCC

The officers who have been in detention since April 2025 when they were arrested on orders of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, denied the charges against them.

The prosecution team comprising Col Raphael Mugisha, Capt Alex Lasto Mukwana and 2nd Lt Phillip Olupot told the military court that investigations into the alleged offence were about to be completed before asking that the accused officers be remanded to Makindye Military Police Detention facility until the next court sitting.

In his reponse, the lead Defense Counsel Maj Simon Busagwa Nsubuga said he had no objection to the adjournment. However, asked court to order the State to disclose to the defense team the witness and evidence they intend to rely on so that they prepare their clients’ defence.

In his ruling, however, Brig Gen Tukacungurwa declined Maj Busagwa's request.

He noted that the prosecution was very clear that investigations are almost done and advised the defence team to wait for the next court session. Accordingly, the accused persons were remanded until May 29, 2026.

The officers’ arrest last year followed reports that fuel was being stolen at URDCC.