President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Brig Gen Richard Tukachungurwa as the new head of the General Court Martial.
In a letter seen by Eagle Online dated November 25, and addressed to Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, the President confirmed the new leadership following the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
The appointment also reconstituted the members of the General Court Martial together with chairpersons of division and unit court martials across the country.
Part of the statement reads, “In accordance with Section 192, 193 and 195 of the UPDF Act as amended and acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, I have appointed persons below as Head and members of the General Court Martial and Chairperson of Division and Unit Court Martials respectively.”
Tukachungurwa, who previously served as the Judge Advocate of the Court Martial, brings extensive experience from years of engagement within the UPDF’s legal and disciplinary structures. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during the 2024 promotions announced at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya, where he was recognised for his role in guiding military court proceedings. His legal career has also been demonstrated in several high-profile military trials, including earlier cases where he defended the mandate of military courts to handle firearm-related offences.
The General Court Martial, which handles disciplinary and criminal matters involving UPDF personnel has been under increased scrutiny following court decisions that questioned its jurisdiction over civilians. Tukachungurwa’s appointment is therefore seen as an effort to stabilise the court’s operations and reinforce adherence to the revised legal framework governing military trials.
Members appointed to serve under the new leadership include senior officers such as Col Wankandya Simon Tusah, Col Asha Patra, Col Kangwamu Fredrick, Col Mugisha Raphael and Lt Col Igambi Mohammedie Nasser. Others are Maj Amodoi Samuel Moses, Maj Ariahahi Emmanuel, Maj Nyombi Abubaker and Maj Chemtai Denis.
The new division court martial chairpersons include Lt Col Drani Epalu David for the Forth Division and Lt Col Mulyanti Yaqoub Hassan for the One Special Forces Group.
The appointments take immediate effect and the officers are expected to assume their roles once the Judicial Service Commission finalises its administrative clearance.
