Four senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been charged before the General Court Martial in Makindye over allegations of diverting large quantities of operational fuel for personal use, in a case that has put military logistics under fresh scrutiny.
The accused include Brigadier General James Barigye Ruheesi, Colonel David Ocitti Kidega, Major Innocent Kikongo Mugumya and Captain Kenneth Labwon Kinyera, all of whom denied the charges when they appeared before a court chaired by Brigadier General Richard Tukachungurwa.
The court adjourned the matter to May 29, 2026, for mention.
Prosecution alleges that between July 2022 and December 2023, the officers irregularly diverted fuel meant for military operations in Kampala and Jinja, instead using it for personal benefit.
Court documents indicate that the initial charge sheet covers about 27,000 litres of diesel, but investigators have since widened the scope of the probe, linking the accused to a suspected scheme involving up to 270,000 litres of fuel under scrutiny.
“The accused persons, being subject to military law, are alleged to have misused operational logistics in a manner prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the defence forces,” prosecution told court.
The officers were arrested earlier in 2026 following a joint investigation by military intelligence and internal UPDF oversight units. Their arrest is understood to have followed directives from the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as part of an internal crackdown on corruption and abuse of office within the force.
Sources familiar with the probe say the investigation was triggered by inconsistencies in fuel accountability records, which flagged possible diversion of supplies intended for official military operations. Subsequent audits reportedly uncovered irregular documentation and unexplained fuel withdrawals across multiple units.
The case has now emerged as part of a broader effort by the UPDF leadership to tighten accountability and discipline in the management of logistics, particularly fuel supplies that are critical to operational readiness.
Following their plea, the court adjourned the matter to May 29, 2026, as investigations continue and the prosecution prepares to present its full evidence.
The proceedings are expected to draw close attention given the senior ranks involved and the scale of the alleged fuel diversion, which could have wider implications for accountability and resource management within the military if proven.
