Politics 1 September 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Court greenlights extradition of ex-PLU official Michael Katungi to the US
A Ugandan court has dismissed Michael Katungi Mpeirwe's attempt to block his extradition to the United States, where he faces charges related to drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and supporting a designated foreign terrorist organization. Source: https://observer.ug/news/court-clears-way-for-extradition-of-former-plu-official-michael-katungi
Former Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) official Michael Katungi Mpeirwe will likely be extradited to the United States to face serious charges, following a ruling by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Ritah Kidasa Neumbe dismissed preliminary objections raised by Katungi, clearing the path for his surrender to U.S. authorities.
Katungi, who also has a background as an African Union policy adviser and a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier, is wanted by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The charges include conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms such as machine guns and destructive devices, and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, Mexico’s Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
The defense had challenged the extradition process on multiple grounds, including procedural irregularities, the authority of government officials, claims of diplomatic immunity, and the admissibility of evidence. However, the magistrate found that the Ugandan government had met the necessary legal and evidential thresholds.
Key objections rejected by the court included arguments about the method of initiating extradition proceedings, administrative inconsistencies in court case management systems, and the purported lack of authority by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The court also dismissed Katungi’s claim of diplomatic immunity, stating he did not hold a position that would grant him such protection in Uganda or the U.S. in this context.
Furthermore, the court affirmed the authority of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to conduct extradition proceedings, interpreting constitutional and statutory provisions to support this mandate. The magistrate concluded that the evidence presented, including authenticated U.S. documents, sufficiently established Katungi’s identity and the charges against him, satisfying the principle of dual criminality.
Despite these rulings, Katungi may pursue further legal avenues to contest his extradition. He has been on remand since June 29, 2026, and had also initiated a separate challenge before the Constitutional Court.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)