Court Martial crucial for maintaining discipline - Gen Muhanga

Lt Gen Kayanja Paul Muhanga, the Commander of UPDF Land Forces, has emphasised the importance of the General Court Martial in maintaining discipline within the army and civilian population.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of Maj Gen James Birungi, the new Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division and Maj Gen Richard Otto, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security at Mountain Infantry Division Headquarters in Fort Portal, on April 24, 2025, Gen Muhanga noted that the Court Martial has played a crucial role in prosecuting individuals involved in illegal armed operations, such as cattle theft in the Karamoja region.

The Court Martial has been instrumental in bringing discipline to the army and civilian population, Gen Muhanga said. However, a recent court ruling to disband it has raised concerns about the ability of the UPDF to operate effectively.

"Why wouldn't someone who has made himself a soldier,  puts on a UPDF uniform, gets a gun illegally, be taken to a civilian court, not a court martial?" Gen Muhanga questioned. "I think we need to reverse this," he added.

Gen Kayanja noted that some groups of people are conducting military-related parades in Kampala, wearing uniforms and pretending to be soldiers, which he believes is an invitation for Court Martial.

"You put on these funny, red things and then we are seeing them pretending, and now tomorrow, if they get guns, and you think we are just going to get them and take them to a civilian court," he said.

Regarding Operation Shuja in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gen Muhanga stated that the joint security forces are reviewing and refocusing on the operation to target the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The operation has expanded to new areas, including Bunia, a big town in the Ituri province of Congo. "We have an expanded area in Congo, we were not in Bunia before, we are now in Bunia," he said.

"We are refocusing on the ADF rebels because that's what took us there," Gen Muhanga added. The UPDF has been conducting operations against the ADF rebels in eastern DRC, and Gen Muhanga emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong presence in the region.

Maj Gen James Birungi, the new Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division, echoed Gen Kayanja's sentiments, stating that the ADF has been strongly defeated and is now operating in small groups.

"In the next operation, intelligence will be beefed up, and we will get them from where they're hiding," he said.

"We are going to ensure that you know all movements of the enemy in all sectors, and we make sure that it does not surround any territory that is occupied by civilians," Gen Birungi added.

As the new Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division, Gen Birungi brings experience from his previous role as Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, where he supported Operation Shuja in terms of intelligence gathering.

Maj Gen Birungi was appointed as the new Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, last week. Gen Birungi replaced Maj Gen Richard Otto, who has taken over as the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security.

The Mountain Division Commander also serves as the Joint Task Force Commander of UPDF troops under Operation Shuja.