Former heads of Uganda’s military intelligence, Maj Gen (Rtd) Abel Kandiho and Brig Gen (Rtd) Charles Bakahumura, were arrested on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, as security agencies continue investigations into alleged offences related to national security.
The two senior military officers previously headed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), which is now known as Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS).
According to information confirmed by New Vision, the arrests are linked to investigations into alleged offences including treachery and other security-related crimes.
The investigation has also been confirmed by the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
A report by ChimpReports said Abel Kandiho was arrested at his farm in Gomba District, in central Uganda.
The location where Charles Bakahumura was arrested, and the specific security agency that took him into custody, had not been clearly established at the time of publication.
The arrests come shortly after strong remarks by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba following the appearance of several retired generals dancing at a farewell event held at State House.
In a post on X, Muhoozi said that one of the generals had been “arrested” and that another was also about to be arrested.
The arrests of Kandiho and Bakahumura come amid an ongoing investigation in Uganda into allegations that some intelligence officials produced or circulated false intelligence reports.
Daily Monitor reported that the investigation has also involved other senior military officers, including Maj Gen James Birungi, a former head of DIS; Col Peter Ahimbisibwe, who was responsible for counter-terrorism; and Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, a former head of special operations.
Birungi and Byaruhanga have already been brought before a military court, where they are facing treachery charges. They are reportedly being held at Makindye Military Prison.
New Vision reported that the investigation has expanded to several other individuals and that more people linked to the case are still being sought.
Kandiho and Bakahumura were among 19 senior military officers retired from the UPDF on August 20, 2026.
Kandiho joined CMI and steadily rose through the military ranks before becoming its director in January 2017, when he held the rank of Colonel. He was later promoted to Major General.
Bakahumura headed CMI from 2012 to 2017 before being appointed to lead the military’s department responsible for logistics and engineering, a position he held for about seven years. He also previously served as Uganda’s military representative in Türkiye.
Although major Ugandan media outlets confirmed the arrests of the two generals, the UPDF had not yet issued a detailed official statement explaining the arrests at the time of publication.
The UPDF deputy spokesperson, Col Chris Magezi, told New Vision that he was not aware of the arrests and would first need to seek information from the relevant authorities.
As a result, the exact reasons for the arrests and the specific charges the two former intelligence chiefs may face remain unclear pending further official clarification.
For now, what has been confirmed is that Kandiho and Bakahumura are in the custody of security agencies as investigations into alleged intelligence activities and security-related offences continue.
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