The High Court has temporarily halted the extradition of retired UPDF officer and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) member Michael Katungi Mpeirwe to the United States, marking an early legal victory for his defence team in a case that has attracted significant public attention.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Simon Peter Kinobe, the court ordered that all extradition proceedings before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court be suspended until the High Court determines Katungi’s application challenging the legality of the extradition process.
High Court Preserves Status Quo
Justice Kinobe ruled that maintaining the current status quo was necessary to prevent the case from being rendered meaningless if Katungi were extradited before the constitutional questions are determined.
The ruling effectively bars the Ugandan government from surrendering Katungi to US authorities until the High Court decides whether the extradition complies with Uganda’s Constitution and the Extradition Act.
The extradition proceedings will remain on hold as both the State and the defence prepare to argue the matter before the High Court.
Medard Sseggona Welcomes Ruling
Katungi’s lead lawyer, Medard Sseggona, welcomed the decision, describing it as an important victory for constitutional rights and due process.
“The court has recognised that fundamental legal issues must first be determined before any person is extradited. Our client is entitled to the full protection of the law and the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Ugandan,” Sseggona said.
The defence maintains that extradition must strictly comply with Uganda’s laws and constitutional safeguards, arguing that both the legal basis and the procedure used by the State are being challenged.
Serious Charges in the United States
Katungi is wanted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where he has been indicted alongside Bulgarian national Dimitrov Mirchev, Kenyan national Odhiambo Asumo, and a Tanzanian national.
US prosecutors allege that the group participated in an international criminal network that planned to supply military-grade weapons to Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which the United States has designated as a terrorist organisation.
The indictment includes charges of:
- Conspiracy to traffic more than five kilograms of cocaine intended for illegal importation into the United States.
- Conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated terrorist organisation.
Government Had Approved Extradition
Before the High Court’s intervention, the Ugandan government had approved the extradition request.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) informed the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court that the Attorney General had authorised the request under Uganda’s Extradition Act and the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Justice Minister Norbert Mao subsequently requested the Chief Magistrate’s Court to issue a warrant for Katungi’s surrender to US authorities, leading to his arrest and remand to Luzira Prison.
Background
According to the US indictment, Katungi allegedly attended meetings in London and South Africa where plans were discussed to supply weapons to the CJNG cartel.
Investigators claim he offered to source firearms from Uganda and that forged military documents were prepared to facilitate the movement of the weapons. The indictment further alleges that payments linked to the operation passed through bank accounts in Kenya, while the weapons were sourced from Eastern Europe.
Through his lawyers, Katungi has denied all the allegations and insists the accusations remain unproven. He argues that he should not be extradited until Ugandan courts determine whether the request satisfies all legal requirements.
The case has drawn widespread attention because Katungi is a retired UPDF officer and a former senior official in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), an organisation associated with Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
For now, Katungi remains in Uganda as the High Court considers the legality of the extradition request. The court’s eventual decision is expected to have significant implications for future extradition proceedings and Uganda’s cooperation in international criminal investigations.
