Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced the arrest of one of the recently retired UPDF generals who featured in videos dancing during their farewell ceremony, while military sources have reported that another former senior intelligence chief is also in custody.
The first general has been identified by sources as Maj Gen Charles Bakahumura, a former Chief of Military Intelligence and longtime head of the UPDF Chieftaincy of Logistics and Engineering.
Sources have also told The Investigator that former Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen Abel Kandiho has been arrested.
The developments come barely three weeks after President Yoweri Museveni presided over the retirement of 19 senior UPDF generals at State House, Entebbe, on August 20.
The retirement ceremony became the subject of widespread social-media attention after videos emerged showing some of the outgoing generals dancing and celebrating outside State House.
Gen Muhoozi subsequently warned that the officers who had danced “too much” would be investigated and arrested. On Wednesday, September 9, he announced that the operation had begun.
“We have captured one of the dancing Generals. Another one will be captured soon,” Muhoozi posted. He added that one of the generals was reportedly hiding at one of his farms in Gomba and could attempt to escape to Rwanda.
“He might try escaping to Rwanda. We shall capture him wherever he goes,” Muhoozi said.
He also joked that other retired generals could be hiding “under Afande Saleh’s bed”, referring to Gen Salim Saleh.
Bakahumura’s Military Career
Bakahumura is one of the most experienced officers named in the latest crackdown. He rose through the ranks of the UPDF and occupied several sensitive command and intelligence positions during his military career.
Between 2012 and 2017, he served as Chief of Military Intelligence before being transferred to head the Chieftaincy of Logistics and Engineering. He served in the logistics position for about seven years, becoming the longest-serving officer to occupy the post.
His move from intelligence to logistics was part of a major military reshuffle announced in January 2017. At the time, he replaced Lt Gen Charles Otema as Chief of Logistics and Engineering, while then-Lt Col Abel Kandiho was promoted and appointed to replace him as head of military intelligence.
The logistics and engineering docket is a critical component of the UPDF, covering areas such as transport, supplies, equipment, fleet maintenance, engineering support and other requirements necessary for military operations.
During his tenure, Bakahumura highlighted improvements in fleet maintenance, logistics staff training and the construction of UPDF fuel-storage facilities. He also oversaw training programmes through institutions including the College of Logistics and Engineering, the School of Supplies and Transport and UPDF engineering and technical institutions.
Bakahumura is also academically accomplished. According to profiles of his military career, he holds a master’s degree in Defence Studies from King’s College London, another master’s degree from Makerere University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Makerere. He was described by the UPDF as having more than three decades of experience in security services.
He subsequently served as Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Turkey before retiring from active service.
Kandiho Also Reportedly Arrested
The second senior officer reportedly caught up in the operation is Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, another former head of CMI.
Kandiho is a veteran intelligence officer who served as Chief of Military Intelligence after replacing Bakahumura in 2017.
His tenure at CMI made him one of Uganda’s most prominent intelligence chiefs. He was later removed from the position in 2022 and subsequently retired from active military service during the August 20 retirement ceremony.
Kandiho’s retirement was part of the wider exit of 19 generals and 1,798 other UPDF personnel. Reports at the time described him as one of the most visible intelligence chiefs of the previous decade.
As of press time, there had been no detailed official statement from the UPDF identifying the generals detained in the latest operation or giving the specific offences being investigated.
The Dancing Generals
The saga began at State House, Entebbe, where Museveni presided over the retirement ceremony for the 19 generals.
The outgoing officers appeared in ceremonial red military uniforms and some were captured dancing as they celebrated the end of long military careers.
The videos quickly went viral. Muhoozi reacted angrily, questioning why senior officers were celebrating in such a manner near State House.
“I think from now on it’s forbidden for generals to dance too much next to State House,” he said in an earlier post, adding that the generals were being investigated and would be arrested.
His latest announcement indicates that the threat has now moved from social-media warning to actual arrests.
However, it remains unclear whether the reported detention of Bakahumura and Kandiho relates solely to their participation in the dancing or whether the arrests are connected to wider investigations.
Corruption Crackdown
The latest arrests have also coincided with a broader campaign by Muhoozi against alleged corruption within the UPDF.
According to military sources cited by Red Pepper, investigators have been examining the army’s logistics structures over allegations involving procurement, inflated budgets, kickbacks, supplies that allegedly existed only on paper and delivery of substandard materials.
The allegations have not been formally substantiated in public and the identities of other officers reportedly under investigation have not been officially released.
The logistics department is particularly significant because it controls resources and supplies required to keep the military operational.
A military source claimed that the CDF’s campaign has been moving from one department to another, beginning with the Finance Department before turning attention to logistics and engineering.
Several officers are alleged to have been arrested, sent on leave, required to refund money or moved away from sensitive positions.
Engineering Brigade Under Scrutiny
The Engineering Brigade has also previously come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, former Engineering Brigade commander Col Godfrey Tukamwakira was reportedly arrested over corruption allegations, while the Inspectorate of Government raised questions about his wealth.
In July, Muhoozi also announced the arrest of Brig Gen Cyrus Besigye Bekunda and other officers from the Engineers Brigade.
“Yesterday, I ordered the arrest of Brig Bekunda Besigye and other officers of the Engineers Brigade,” Muhoozi said in a post.
He accused the officers of receiving and misusing money and warned that their punishment should serve as a lesson to others.
The Engineers Brigade plays an important role in military construction and infrastructure projects.
Muhoozi’s ‘Clean-Up’ Campaign
Since taking over as CDF, Muhoozi has repeatedly presented corruption and discipline as major priorities for the UPDF.
He has warned officers that anyone misusing public resources or undermining the institution should either reform or leave the army.
The latest arrests therefore appear to fit into a wider effort to tighten discipline within the force.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrests of Bakahumura and Kandiho remain unclear.
The two generals are among the senior officers who only recently ended their active military careers, having served in some of the most sensitive positions in the UPDF.
Their reported detention has consequently generated considerable public interest, with social-media users divided between those supporting Muhoozi’s crackdown and those questioning the treatment of officers who spent decades in military service.
Some commentators have praised the CDF for going after senior officers who were previously considered powerful and untouchable.
Others have questioned whether retirement celebrations should be interpreted as misconduct deserving arrest.
For now, the biggest unanswered question is whether the operation against the “dancing generals” is simply a disciplinary response to their conduct at State House or the opening phase of a much broader investigation into their conduct while in active service.
Until the UPDF provides further details, the exact allegations against Bakahumura, Kandiho and any other detained officers remain unclear.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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