Top UPDF Officers in 270,000-Litre Fuel Theft Case Seek Bail Before Makindye General Court Martial

Makindye, Kampala — Four senior Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) officers accused in a massive military fuel theft case involving 270,000 litres of diesel and petrol have applied for bail before the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye.

The officers — whose ranks range from major to colonel — face several charges including loss of war materials, conspiracy to steal government property, and failure to protect military assets. The fuel, valued at billions of shillings, was reportedly allocated for UPDF operations under the regional task force combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bail hearing

During Wednesday’s court session, defence lawyers argued that their clients were not flight risks, had been fully cooperative with investigators, and had served the country for decades without prior criminal records. Counsel representing the officers submitted that the accused have permanent residences within Uganda, family ties, and sureties who are fellow military personnel of high standing.

“The applicants are entitled to bail as a constitutional right. None of them have previous convictions, and there is no evidence that they would interfere with witnesses or abscond,” one of the defence attorneys submitted.

However, the military prosecution strongly opposed the bail application, arguing that the officers, if released, could interfere with the ongoing investigation, which has already uncovered a network of civilian collaborators. The lead prosecutor also noted that the scale of the theft — enough to fill several fuel tanker trucks — pointed to a sophisticated, premeditated operation.

“This is not a minor oversight. Over a quarter of a million litres of military fuel vanished while under their watch or through their direct action. The state needs them in custody to prevent further evidence tampering,” the prosecution told the court.

Background of the case

The scandal first emerged in late 2024 when internal UPDF audits flagged major discrepancies between fuel dispatched to forward operating bases in the DRC and actual consumption reports. Investigators traced the fuel to black markets in border towns, where it was allegedly sold to civilian traders.

The four senior officers were arrested earlier this year following months of covert inquiries by the UPDF’s Criminal Investigations Department. Sources within the military say junior officers and civilian fuel contractors have already recorded statements implicating the accused.

Court adjourns

Presiding over the case, the chairperson of the General Court Martial reserved the ruling on the bail application, noting that written submissions must be filed by both sides within 48 hours. The suspects remain in military detention pending the decision.

In a rare public statement on the matter last week, the UPDF spokesperson said, “The force does not condone any acts of sabotage or economic crimes. Whoever is found culpable, regardless of rank, will face the full weight of military law.”

The case has drawn sharp attention from anti-corruption watchdogs, who see it as a key test of the military’s commitment to accountability. The UPDF has faced similar allegations in the past, but few senior officers have been successfully prosecuted.

If convicted, the four could face life imprisonment under the UPDF Act for loss of war materials during active operations.

The court is expected to announce the bail ruling early next week.

LCC TV NEWS