Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has forgiven detained former military intelligence chief Maj Gen James Birungi and promised to secure his release soon, despite accusing him of committing serious crimes against the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Ugandans.
In a statement, Muhoozi said Birungi deserved a severe punishment for his alleged actions but chose forgiveness, citing his Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“MG. Birungi committed great crimes against our army and people. He should rightly have faced a very severe sentence. However, I believe in Jesus Christ who always teaches forgiveness,” Muhoozi said.
The army chief added that his decision was guided by the forgiveness he believes he has received through his faith.
“Christ forgave me, who I’m I not to forgive myself. I have forgiven him. We will release him soon,” he said.
The announcement comes as Birungi faces charges of treachery and offences relating to security before the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala, following his arrest in August 2025.
Birungi, a former Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), was arrested after being summoned to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, where he appeared before a team led by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding.
According to reports, Birungi was questioned during an ongoing military investigation before being disarmed and transferred to the Military Police detention facility in Makindye.
The investigation followed allegations of irregularities in military intelligence and counterterrorism operations, including claims that intelligence reports about terrorist threats were fabricated to obtain operational funds. Birungi has denied the allegations and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Before his arrest, Birungi had served as commander of the UPDF Mountain Division and previously headed CMI, which was later restructured and renamed the Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security.
He had also been appointed Uganda’s defence attaché and military adviser to Burundi following a military reshuffle that saw Maj Gen Richard Otto take over the intelligence directorate.
His arrest came amid investigations into controversial security operations involving alleged suicide bomb incidents in Kampala in 2025, including incidents near Munyonyo Catholic Shrine and Kalerwe Market that resulted in deaths.
The investigations have implicated several military officers and intelligence operatives, with prosecutors alleging that some security operations were staged to create the appearance of terrorist threats and justify the use of operational funds.
In July 2026, Birungi was formally charged before the General Court Martial with treachery and offences relating to security. He was remanded to Makindye Military Barracks as the court proceedings continued.
On October 5, 2026, the court further remanded him after prosecutors said they were not ready to respond to his bail application because a person expected to provide an affidavit opposing his release was out of the country. The case was adjourned to October 12.
The case has attracted further attention following testimony by former government informer Hamza Lyavaala, who alleged in court on October 12 that a senior intelligence officer pressured him to implicate Birungi in the alleged staged bombing operations. Lyavaala claimed that the officer wanted him to say Birungi had provided money to finance the operations, allegations that add another dimension to the case.
The claims were made during proceedings involving Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, who has denied the charges against him.
Muhoozi’s promise shows a possible change in the handling of Birungi’s case, although it remains unclear how the promised release will be implemented, whether the General Court Martial has been formally notified, or what legal steps will be taken to end his detention.
