news 27 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Brig Gen Barigye and Three Senior UPDF Officers Remanded in Fuel Theft Case Involving 270,000 Litres
Four senior UPDF officers, including Brig Gen James Barigye, have been remanded to Makindye Military Barracks over allegations of stealing 270,000 litres of fuel meant for operational use at URDCC. Arrested in April 2025 on orders from CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, they denied the charges during their court appearance. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/gen-barigye-among-four-senior-updf-officers-remanded-over-theft-of-270-000-litres-of-fuel--5437960
Four high-ranking Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers faced the General Court Martial in Makindye on Monday, charged with misusing 270,000 litres of automotive gas oil (AGO) for personal gain.
The accused include Brig Gen James Barigye Ruheesi, the former Commandant at Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Center (URDCC) in Jinja; Col David Ocitti Kidega from Joint Staff Logistics; Maj Innocent Kikongi Mugumya, a transport officer at URDCC; and Capt Kenneth Labwon Kinyera from UPDF Joint Staff Health Services.
Prosecutors stated the officers allegedly diverted the fuel, intended for URDCC’s heavy equipment, between July 2022 and December 2023 in Kampala and Jinja, violating Section 122(b) of the UPDF Act by endangering operational efficiency.
The officers, detained since their April 2025 arrest ordered by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba following theft reports at URDCC, pleaded not guilty before a panel chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tukacungurwa.
The prosecution, led by Col Raphael Mugisha, requested remand as investigations near completion. Defense counsel Maj Simon Busagwa Nsubuga sought evidence disclosure but was denied, with the court remanding the officers until May 29, 2026.
This case highlights ongoing UPDF efforts to combat corruption, amid a history of scandals like ghost soldiers and logistics theft in missions.
Source: Daily Monitor