The High Court of Uganda has temporarily halted the extradition of retired UPDF officer Michael Katungi Mpeirwe to the United States, dealing a major setback to efforts by American authorities to have him stand trial on allegations of international narcotics trafficking, firearms offences and providing material support to a designated terrorist organisation.
In a ruling that has significantly altered the course of one of Uganda’s most closely watched extradition proceedings, Justice Simon Peter Kinobe ordered a stay of the extradition process pending the determination of Katungi’s application challenging the legality of the proceedings.
The ruling effectively freezes any attempt by the Ugandan government to surrender Katungi to American authorities until the High Court determines whether the extradition process complies with Uganda’s Constitution and the country’s Extradition Act.
Justice Kinobe Speaks
While issuing the interim orders, Justice Kinobe emphasized that preserving the status quo was necessary to ensure that the court was not rendered ineffective before hearing the substantive application.
The judge ruled that the extradition proceedings before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court should be suspended until the High Court determines the legal questions raised by Katungi.
According to the ruling, allowing the extradition process to proceed before the constitutional and legal issues are determined could render the pending application nugatory if Katungi were surrendered before the court pronounces itself on the legality of the process.
The temporary orders now place the extradition proceedings on hold as both parties prepare detailed submissions before the High Court.
Segona Welcomes Decision
Katungi’s lead lawyer, Medard Segona, welcomed the High Court decision, describing it as a victory for due process and constitutionalism.
“The court has appreciated that there are fundamental legal issues which must first be determined before any person can be extradited. Our client deserves the protection of the law and the constitutional guarantees available to every Ugandan citizen,” Segona said after the ruling.
He maintained that the defence is challenging both the procedure adopted by the State and the legal basis upon which the extradition request is being pursued.
According to Segona, extradition is not an automatic administrative exercise but a judicial process that must strictly comply with Ugandan law and constitutional safeguards.He added that the defence remains confident that once the High Court fully hears the matter, justice will prevail.
Serious Charges in the United States
Katungi is wanted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where prosecutors have filed a multi-count indictment against him alongside Bulgarian national Dimitrov Mirchev, Kenyan national Odhiambo Asumo and Tanzanian national.
American prosecutors accuse the four of participating in an elaborate international criminal enterprise involving the supply of military-grade weapons to Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the world’s most notorious drug trafficking organizations.
The indictment alleges conspiracy to distribute and possess more than five kilograms of cocaine intended for unlawful importation into the United States.
The suspects are also accused of conspiracy to possess firearms, including machine guns and destructive devices, in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, as well as conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
Government Had Approved Extradition
Before the latest High Court intervention, the Ugandan government had already approved Katungi’s extradition.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions informed the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court that the Attorney General’s Chambers had cleared the request after determining that Uganda could legally cooperate with the United States under the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the Extradition Act.
Justice Minister Norbert Mao subsequently requested the Chief Magistrate to issue a warrant for Katungi’s arrest to facilitate his surrender to U.S. authorities.
Following the request, Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court initiated extradition proceedings after Katungi was arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison.
Background
As previously reported by The Investigator, Katungi’s troubles began after U.S. investigators unveiled an international investigation into what they described as a sophisticated network allegedly linking arms dealers, forged military procurement documents and narcotics trafficking across several countries.
According to investigators, Katungi allegedly participated in meetings held in London and South Africa where plans were discussed to supply sophisticated weapons to the Mexican CJNG cartel.
The U.S. indictment claims he allegedly offered to obtain firearms from Uganda for eventual sale to the cartel.Investigators further allege that forged End User Certificates and Delivery Verification Protocols were prepared to disguise the movement of weapons across international borders.
The indictment also alleges that payments linked to the operation flowed through bank accounts in Kenya while weapons originating from Eastern Europe were allegedly destined for criminal organisations operating in Mexico.
Katungi has consistently denied any wrongdoing through his lawyers.
His legal team argues that the allegations remain untested and insists that he should not be surrendered before Ugandan courts determine whether the extradition request satisfies all legal requirements.
The case has attracted significant public attention because Katungi is a retired Uganda People’s Defence Forces officer and previously served as a senior official in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), an organisation associated with Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
His arrest generated intense political and legal debate, with supporters questioning the timing of the extradition proceedings while government lawyers maintained that the matter is purely judicial and based on international legal obligations.
The High Court’s intervention now marks the latest chapter in the complex legal battle.
For now, Michael Katungi will remain in Uganda as the High Court considers whether the extradition process complies with the Constitution, the Extradition Act and Uganda’s international obligations.
Whatever the eventual outcome, the case is expected to become one of the country’s most significant judicial precedents on extradition, international criminal cooperation and the protection of constitutional rights in cross-border prosecutions.
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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