Commander of the Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the immediate release of Col. James Kasule, who was arrested over the weekend in connection to a gold-related incident in Mubende District.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, Gen Muhoozi said, “I hear that our intelligence officers arrested Col. Kasule for something.” He should immediately be released.”
The UPDF General, who also doubles as a Senior Presidential Advisor, added: “Col. Kasule is one of our old fighters. I know him very well. I shall deal with him myself.”
Col. Kasule, who currently serves as the 2nd Deputy Divisional Commander in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), was arrested on Saturday after being implicated in a high-profile case involving the alleged abduction of a gold dealer and extortion via mobile money.
Security sources revealed that an official UPDF vehicle assigned to Col. Kasule was found at the scene, intensifying the gravity of the allegations and raising questions about the misuse of military resources in civilian crimes.
The officer is currently detained at Makindye Military Barracks pending further investigations. As of Monday afternoon, no formal charges had been filed, and UPDF spokespersons had not issued an official statement on the arrest.
Gen Muhoozi’s open intervention introduces a complex layer of military politics to the case, hinting at internal sensitivity around the handling of senior commanders with historical combat credentials.
Col Kasule has previously served in notable assignments, including as Commander of the Mountain Brigade and later as Operations Commander of Operation Shujaa in eastern DR Congo.
