Brig Gen Richard Tukachungurwa has been appointed chairman of the General Court Martial (GCM), according to a State House communication dated November 25, He succeeds Brig Gen Robert Freeman Mugabe, whose term ended earlier this year.
President Museveni made the appointment under Sections 192, 193, and 195 of the UPDF Act, acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
The decision ushers in a full reshuffle of the General Court Martial and introduces leadership changes across several Division Court Martials.
Tukachungurwa previously served as Judge Advocate of the GCM, where he guided the court on points of law. His appointment comes at a time of shifting legal boundaries for military courts.
On January 31, the Supreme Court ruled that tribunals such as the GCM lacked constitutional authority to try civilians.
In response, Parliament passed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025, which restored limited military jurisdiction over civilians under defined ‘exceptional circumstances.’
Profiles of key appointees
Col Raphael Mugisha
Col Mugisha joined the military justice system in 1995 as a prosecutor in the Unit Disciplinary Committee. Between 2012 and 2014, he served as Judge Advocate of the Army General Court Martial. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Makerere University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Col Fredrick Kangwamu
Col Kangwamu joined the army in 2006 and was commissioned as a cadet officer in 2007. He is an enrolled advocate of the High Court of Uganda, having graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in 2003.
He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in 2005. Before joining the army, Kangwamu worked with Muyanja and Associates, Lugazi Sugar Company Limited, and the Electoral Commission, where he served in Kaberamaido as Assistant Registrar in charge of the Complaints Desk.
Within the army, he has held several legal roles, including serving as a legal officer in the procurement department, staff officer in the Directorate of Prosecution, and Lead Prosecutor in the General Court Martial.
He currently works with the Military Land Board as a legal officer and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Law at Victoria University.
Maj Denis Chemtai
Maj Chemtai was born in 1980 in Kapchorwa to Margaret Bushendich and the late Nathan Bushendich. He attended Kapchorwa Demonstration School for his primary education, Manjasi High School for O-Level, and Nabumali High School for A-Level, completing in 2000.
He joined the army in 2003 and after earning a law degree from Nkumba University. Between 2013 and 2014, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. He is an enrolled advocate of the High Court of Uganda.
Other members
The newly appointed members of the GCM also include Col Simon Tusah Wankandya, Col Asha Patra, Lt Col Mohammedie Nasser Igambi, Maj Samuel Moses Amodoi, Maj Emmanuel Arihaihi, and Maj Abubakar Nyombi.
In parallel, new leaders have been appointed to Division Court Martials. Lt Col David Drani Epalu will chair the Fourth Division Court Martial, while Lt Col Yaqoub Hassan Mulyanti will chair the Special Forces Group Court Martial.
These appointments take immediate effect and are presented as part of efforts to reinforce discipline, improve efficiency, and ensure continuity within the UPDF’s justice system.
Who will face the reconstituted Court Martial?
The newly appointed General Court Martial leadership is expected to be sworn in soon before officially resuming trials.
By press time last evening, it was unclear when proceedings would begin, but sources indicated the process was in its final stages.
Who will be tried?
Under the UPDF (Amendment) Act, 2025, civilians can be tried by military courts only under ‘exceptional circumstances’, which include: illegal possession of military equipment, uniforms, or ammunition, accompanying soldiers on missions, and aiding soldiers in committing serious crimes.
Over 300 suspects in limbo
As of September, security sources told this publication that more than 300 suspects, mostly UPDF soldiers, were being held in various military detention facilities without trial.
Their cases could not proceed after the Supreme Court declared the operations of military courts illegal earlier this year.
The detainees are distributed across several military barracks, including: Makindye Military Police Barracks (Kampala), Kakiri Barracks (Wakiso), Makenke Barracks (Western Uganda), Gulu and Moroto Barracks (Northern Uganda)
Most suspects are facing serious charges such as aggravated robbery, murder, corruption, and treason.
In September, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson, confirmed that all suspects arrested after the court’s suspension remained in custody.
‘The suspects. will wait until its reconstitution,’ he said, adding that the army leadership has been working to restore the military justice system following the Supreme Court decision.