Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba Fires Michael Katungi from PLU Over US Arms Trafficking Indictment
Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) chairperson Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has removed Lt. (rtd) Michael Katungi from his position following a US indictment alleging involvement in an international arms trafficking conspiracy.
Muhoozi, who also serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, announced the dismissal on August 13, 2025, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“I have decided to remove Michael Katungi as commissioner of external affairs of PLU. He is also removed as a member of our Central Committee. From now on, only the Chairman will appoint the foreign committees of our movement,” Muhoozi posted.
According to US authorities, Katungi and three other foreign nationals are accused of supplying military-grade weapons to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. The other suspects named in the indictment are Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, a Bulgaria-based arms dealer; Elisha Odhiambo Asumo, a Kenyan national; and Subiro Osmund Mwapinga from Tanzania.
“I am unaware of any such proceedings or allegations as reported in the media related to an alleged illegal arms deal. I take all allegations of this nature very seriously and believe in the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence,” he said.
Katungi added that without formal notification or details, he could not comment on the specific claims and suggested that the reports may be part of a campaign to damage his reputation.
Details of the US indictment
The indictment, filed on April 10, 2025, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, outlines a complex international conspiracy involving arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and terrorism financing.
The charges include:
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
- Conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking
- Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation
If convicted, the accused face severe penalties under US federal law.
