By Dean Lubowa Saava
The UPDF general who was arrested on the orders of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been identified as Maj Gen James Ruheesi.
Gen Muhoozi’s statement on his X platform suggests a strong stance against corruption within the military. The arrest of Maj Gen James Ruheesi for alleged fuel theft may indicate a broader effort to address misconduct and promote accountability
Gen Muhoozi’s statement, “There are more to follow,” implies that additional action will be taken against individuals involved in similar misconduct. The subsequent identification of Maj Gen James Ruheesi as the arrested general suggests that Muhoozi’s message may have been a precursor to announcing specific cases
It seems like you’re discussing recent developments within the Ugandan military. According to your information, Maj Gen James Ruheesi was detained at Makindye Military Barracks in Kampala after a long investigation ordered by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces. Additionally, Col David Kidega is reportedly in jail as part of the same investigation.
Interestingly, Gen Muhoozi recently deactivated his X account, citing a renewed focus on his military duties and divine guidance. This move comes after some controversy surrounding his posts on the platform. It’s unclear how this might relate to the current investigation involving Ruheesi and Kidega
The Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Center (URDCC) at Gaddafi barracks in Jinja has been at the center of a fuel theft scandal. According to military sources, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered an investigation after learning about the alleged theft. Maj Gen James Ruheesi was detained at Makindye Military Barracks in Kampala, while Col David Kidega is also reportedly in jail as part of the investigation.
Key Events Leading to the Investigation:
Brigadier General Peter Omolla’s Return: Omolla returned from Somalia to take over as the head of URDCC, prompting a review of operations.
URDCC’s Purpose: The unit was established to respond to emergencies within one hour, providing the UPDF with a quick and reliable crisis-response capability.
Gen Muhoozi’s Leadership Style
Gen Muhoozi has demonstrated a strong stance against misconduct within the military.
Recent examples include:
Crackdown on Misconduct: Muhoozi ordered the arrest of soldiers who break traffic rules and those impersonating military personnel.
Public Rebukes: He has publicly criticized senior officers, such as Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, sparking debate about tensions within the military’s top leadership.
Next Steps
The investigation’s outcome will likely have implications for the UPDF’s leadership and accountability. As Gen Muhoozi emphasized, “There are more to follow,” suggesting that additional action will be taken against those involved in similar misconduct
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s crackdown on corruption within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has led to the arrest of Maj Gen James Ruheesi and Col David Kidega for alleged fuel theft.
The scandal involves the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Center (URDCC) at Gaddafi barracks in Jinja, where half of the allocated fuel was reportedly stolen over several years.
The Fuel Scandal
Allocated Fuel: 20,000 liters of petrol and 30,000 liters of diesel per month
Actual Receipt: 10,000 liters of petrol and 15,000 liters of diesel per month
Loss: 10,000 liters of petrol (Shs 50 million) and 15,000 liters of diesel (Shs 720 million, calculated as 15,000 * 48,000) per month
Total Estimated Loss:
Over three years, the total loss is estimated at Shs 3.5 billion (Shs 1.8 billion in petrol and Shs 1.7 billion in diesel).
Background and Implications
President Museveni recently expressed concerns about corruption within the army, urging Gen Muhoozi to take action. This led to Muhoozi’s appointment as Chief of Defence Forces, with a focus on tackling corruption and improving soldier welfare.
Other senior officers, like Col Peter Ssemakula, have also been arrested for corruption-related charges. Gen Muhoozi’s stance on corruption is clear, as evidenced by his tweet: “Yesterday, I arrested a General who has been stealing fuel for about three years!
