JUST IN: CMI Boss Gen. Kandiho Relieved of Duty

Uganda’s Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) Major General Abel Kandiho has been relieved of duty weeks after the U.S. Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on him over alleged human rights abuses committed under his watch and barely days after First Son Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

“I congratulate both Maj. General Abel Kandiho and Maj. General James Birungi on their new appointments. Hongera sana,” the UPDF Land Forces Commander, Lt Gen. Kainerugaba tweeted on January 25. 

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Maj Gen. Birungi is replaceing Kandiho at CMI as the latter has reportedly been sent to South Sudan.

Under Kandiho, the US Treasury said in a statement, military intelligence officers have arrested, detained and physically abused Ugandans “due to their nationality, political views, or critique of the Ugandan government”.

Those detained by Kandiho’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) were held without legal proceedings, “subjected to horrific beatings and other egregious acts” including sexual abuse and electrocutions that led to long-term injury and even death, US Treasury said.

This is a developing story.