Four Army Officers Remanded Over Fuel Theft Allegations

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1231 EAT on Tuesday 28 April 2026

The General Court Martial sitting in Makindye has remanded four Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers over allegations of diverting 270,000 litres of fuel intended for military operations.

The accused — Brig Gen James Barigye Ruheesi, Col David Ociti Kidega, Maj Innocent Kikongi Mugumya, and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera — appeared before a panel chaired by Brig Richard Tukacungurwa and were charged with one count of conduct prejudicial to operational efficiency, contrary to Section 122(b) of the UPDF Act.

Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and December 2023 in Kampala and Jinja, the officers siphoned off approximately 270,000 litres of automotive gas oil meant for the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre, allegedly for personal use.

The four officers denied the charges.
Led by Col Raphael Mugisha, the prosecution informed court that investigations are in their final stages but requested more time, asking that the suspects remain on remand at the Makindye military police detention facility.

Defence lawyer Maj Simon Busagwa Nsubuga did not object to the adjournment but urged the court to compel the State to disclose evidence to allow adequate preparation for trial.

However, Brig Richard Tukacungurwa declined the request, ruling that issues of disclosure would be addressed once investigations are fully concluded. The four officers were remanded until May 29, 2026.

Brig Gen James Barigye Ruheesi, described by investigators as the principal suspect, was arrested in April 2025 on the orders of Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba and had reportedly spent about a year in detention before his first court appearance.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account at the time, Gen Kainerugaba said: “I arrested a General who has been stealing fuel for about three years. There are more to follow.”

Investigations indicate that the alleged theft took place at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre in Jinja, where large quantities of fuel are said to have gone missing on a monthly basis.

The facility, which is mandated to respond rapidly to emergencies, is reported to have been receiving less fuel than allocated, raising concerns about operational readiness. The alleged diversion is estimated to have resulted in losses running into billions of shillings over a three-year period.

The case comes amid a broader crackdown on corruption within the military, with several senior officers reportedly under investigation over related allegations.

-Observer

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