By Swift Reporter
Two former chiefs of Uganda’s military intelligence have reportedly been arrested, deepening a developing security saga that began after videos emerged showing recently retired generals dancing during a farewell ceremony at State House.
The officers are retired Major General Abel Kandiho and retired Brigadier General Charles Bakahumura, both former heads of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).
Kandiho was reportedly picked up by security operatives from his farm in Gomba District on Wednesday morning, while details surrounding Bakahumura’s reported detention remained unclear by press time.
The developments follow the August 20 retirement ceremony at State House, Entebbe, where President Yoweri Museveni presided over the retirement of 19 senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) generals.
The event attracted attention after videos circulated on social media showing some of the outgoing officers celebrating and dancing after formally ending their military careers.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba later criticised the conduct and warned that some of the retired officers would face investigations.
On Wednesday, Muhoozi announced that the operation had begun.
“We have captured one of the dancing Generals. Another one will be captured soon,” he said.
In earlier remarks, he had also referred to a retired officer believed to be at a farm in Gomba, saying security forces would find him wherever he went. He further suggested that some retired generals could be seeking refuge at the residence of Gen Salim Saleh.
Kandiho and Bakahumura are both veteran military officers who previously held sensitive positions within the UPDF.
Bakahumura served as Chief of Military Intelligence between 2012 and 2017 before taking charge of the Chieftaincy of Logistics and Engineering. He later served as Uganda’s defence attaché in Turkey before retiring from active service.
Kandiho succeeded him as Chief of Military Intelligence in 2017 and remained one of Uganda’s prominent military intelligence figures until his removal from the position in 2022. He later retired alongside other senior officers during the August 20 ceremony.
Their reported detention has raised questions about whether the latest operation is directly linked to the controversial retirement celebrations or forms part of wider investigations.
No detailed official statement had been issued by the UPDF as of press time explaining the specific allegations, if any, against either officer.
The developments come amid increased emphasis by the military leadership on discipline, accountability and the management of government resources within the UPDF. Muhoozi has in recent months publicly warned officers against corruption and misuse of military resources, while officers in different departments have reportedly faced investigations.
For now, the precise circumstances surrounding their reported arrests remain unclear, as does whether the cases are solely connected to the retirement celebrations or involve broader investigations into their conduct while in active service.
Further details are expected once the UPDF or other relevant security authorities issue an official explanation.
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