Uganda has taken the first formal steps toward extraditing retired Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer Michael Katungi Mpeirwe to the United States, where he is wanted to face serious narcotics and firearms trafficking charges.
Katungi appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court after being arrested on a warrant issued as part of an extradition request from U.S. authorities. The court remanded him to prison until July 10, 2026, as the legal process continues.
According to court documents, U.S. prosecutors allege that Katungi was part of a transnational criminal network that conspired to traffic more than five kilograms of cocaine intended for unlawful importation into the United States while also arranging the supply of military-grade weapons—including machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades and other destructive devices—to Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
American prosecutors further allege that Katungi used his regional contacts to help obtain End-User Certificates and related documentation that concealed the true destination of weapons allegedly meant for the Mexican cartel. The indictment links him to Bulgarian national Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, Kenyan national Elisha Odhiambo Asumo and Tanzanian national Subiro Osmund Mwapinga, who are also facing prosecution in connection with the alleged conspiracy.
Ugandan prosecutors told court that the extradition request is being processed under the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances together with Uganda’s Extradition Act, despite the absence of a bilateral extradition treaty between Uganda and the United States. The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Justice approved the request before the matter was presented to court.
Katungi, however, has opposed being surrendered to the United States. His legal team indicated it intends to challenge both the extradition process and its legal basis during the proceedings.
The case has also sparked public debate. Some critics, including retired General David Sejusa, have questioned the fairness of Uganda extraditing one of its citizens to the United States, while supporters argue that the country has an international obligation to cooperate in combating transnational organized crime.
The extradition proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the Ugandan courts determine whether Katungi should ultimately be surrendered to U.S. authorities for trial.