Retired Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura and Major Gen Abel Kandiho

Two former commanders of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) Rtd Maj Gen Abel Kandiho and Rtd Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura, have been arrested

According to military sources, the two were picked up on Tuesday morning as investigations into alleged production of false intelligence and treachery widen. About three weeks ago, they were among 19 generals retired by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on August 20, 2026.

Their arrests bring to four the number of senior military intelligence officers who have reportedly been detained in connection with the alleged production of false intelligence reports.

Kandiho was appointed CMI chief in January 2017 while serving as a colonel. He was promoted to brigadier in November 2017 while heading the intelligence directorate and later rose to the rank of major general.

Bakahumura headed CMI from 2012 to 2017 before being appointed chief of logistics and engineering, a position he held for seven years, making him the longest-serving officer in that position.

The arrests are reportedly linked to an inquiry said to have been sanctioned by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Their detention follows the arrest of other senior intelligence officers, including former DIS chief Maj Gen James Birungi, director of Counter-Terrorism Col Peter Ahimbisibwe and director of Special Operations Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, over allegations linked to false intelligence reports.

Birungi and Byaruhanga have since been charged with treachery before the General Court Martial and remanded to Makindye Military Police Barracks.

Birungi was arrested after appearing before a board chaired by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Samuel Okiding, which was reportedly instituted by Gen Kainerugaba.

The circumstances surrounding Ahimbisibwe’s alleged detention and whether he has been formally charged were not immediately clear by press time.

The UPDF had not issued an official statement on the arrests by press time. Acting Defence spokesperson Col Chris Magezi could not be reached through his known telephone contacts.

Earlier on Tuesday, Muhoozi posted on his X account that one of the “dancing Generals” had been captured and that another would follow soon. The post came after retired generals were seen dancing during their farewell ceremony at State House.

Muhoozi had also warned security personnel against providing him with false intelligence, although he did not identify the officers he was referring to.

4 replies on “Former CMI commanders Kandiho, Bakahumura arrested over false intel”

  2. In other words, the retired hunters (CMI Commanders) have been hunted down over the production of “false intelligence reports (FIR)”!

    But who in his/her right state of mind will rule out that: as days follows nights, the current hunter/s of the hunted FIR will also be hunted down over the same (FIR)?

    But why weren’t Gen Kale Kayihura and Afande Elizabeth Kuteesa also hunted down for filing FIR over which Dr. Kiiza Besigye was charged and tried for the rape of Ms. Kyakuwa as well as engaged in treasonable activities under People’s Redemption Army (PRA) in collaboration with the LRA (2006 Rape and Treason Trail Cases)?

  3. Gen MK should also cause the capture of Gen Otema Awany, for the extrajudiciality murder of a LRA suspect, Peter Oloya who was on “Remand” in Gulu Central Government Prison and also disappeared his body!

    In other words, on 16th September 2002 (Human Rights Watch), when Gen Otema Awany, then a Lt Colonel; ordered the execution of Oloya and took away his body. And to date, nobody knows the whereabouts of Oloya’ body!

    What about Gen MK’s father, our 86-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA, Gen Tibuhaburwa and his driver? During his 5-year subversive activities (capital offence) murdered an on duty UNLA soldier at a road block in Mayuge (Okello)?

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