Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced the release of retired Brigadier General Charles Bakahumura from military detention, signalling a possible thaw in relations between the army chief and the former military intelligence chief.
In a brief statement posted on his official X account on Saturday, October 31, 2026, Muhoozi said he had decided to release Bakahumura and expressed willingness to rebuild their relationship.
“I have decided to release General Bakahumura from detention today. We shall repair the relations that were broken in the past,” Muhoozi posted.
The announcement brings a dramatic development in a security investigation that saw Bakahumura, alongside other senior retired military officers, arrested shortly after their retirement from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Bakahumura’s Arrest
Bakahumura was arrested on September 9, 2026, alongside retired Major General Abel Kandiho, in investigations reportedly sanctioned by Gen Muhoozi.
The two officers were among 19 generals who retired from active military service on August 20, 2026, during a ceremony presided over by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe.
His arrests were linked to investigations into alleged production of false intelligence reports and treachery within the military establishment.
Bakahumura was reportedly picked up from his home in Najjera, Kampala, before being taken to Makindye Military Barracks.
His arrest followed a series of security investigations involving senior officers who had previously served in the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), now known as Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS).
A Former Military Intelligence Chief
Bakahumura is a former head of CMI, having led the military intelligence institution between 2012 and 2017.
He was subsequently appointed Chief of Logistics and Engineering, a position he reportedly held for seven years, making him one of the longest-serving officers in that department.
He also served as Uganda’s Defence Attaché in Ankara, Turkey, before his retirement in August 2026.
His military career placed him among the senior officers who played significant roles in Uganda’s intelligence and military administration.
Muhoozi’s Crackdown on Retired Generals
Bakahumura’s arrest came amid tensions following the retirement of several senior UPDF officers.
The controversy intensified after videos circulated showing retired generals dancing during their farewell ceremony at State House Entebbe.
Muhoozi publicly questioned why the officers appeared to be celebrating their departure from the military and warned that those involved would face investigations and arrest.
He subsequently announced that one of the so-called “dancing Generals” had been captured, adding that another would soon follow.
The subsequent arrests of Bakahumura and Kandiho generated considerable attention, particularly because both had previously headed Uganda’s military intelligence department.
Their detention also followed investigations involving other senior intelligence officers, including former DIS chief Major General James Birungi and other officers accused of involvement in alleged false intelligence reporting.
Birungi and Lieutenant Colonel Ephraim Byaruhanga were subsequently reported to have been charged with treachery before the General Court Martial.
Bakahumura’s release announcement now introduces a new dimension to the unfolding military developments.
However, Muhoozi did not explain what had led to the breakdown in his relationship with Bakahumura, the circumstances surrounding the decision to release him, or whether the investigations against the retired general had been concluded.
It also remains unclear whether the decision will have any implications for the detention of other retired military officers, including Kandiho.
For now, Muhoozi’s pledge to repair the relationship suggests a possible reconciliation with one of the former senior officers who once occupied a powerful position within Uganda’s military intelligence establishment.
