UPDF Communications Chief Arrested in $300,000 Military Radio Scandal.
Military authorities have detained Colonel Peter Ssemakula, the UPDF Chief of Communications and IT, over corruption allegations linked to a $200 million radio procurement deal.
The case centers on a 2023 proposal from Namibian company Satcom to supply Uganda's military with Leopard 1 Wideband military Software Defined Radios. Satcom's local representative, Ambrose Mutafungwa, facilitated the deal.
Former Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi and Col Ssemakula visited Namibia to inspect the radios. The military contracts committee, led by Gen Mbadi, approved the $200 million purchase despite earlier concerns about the radios overheating in jungle conditions.
Military investigators report that Mutafungwa arranged a $300,000 payment to Col Ssemakula after securing the contract. Ssemakula, who prepared documentation supporting the radio procurement, allegedly entrusted the money to a witch doctor for safekeeping.
The situation changed when President Museveni appointed Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of Defence Forces, replacing Mbadi. After learning of potential corruption, Gen Muhoozi canceled the Satcom contract.
Facing pressure to return his commission to Satcom, Mutafungwa met with Gen Muhoozi and revealed the payment to Col Ssemakula. This disclosure led to Ssemakula's immediate arrest. The colonel admitted receiving the money and directed investigators to the witch doctor, who had spent $80,000 of the funds. The military recovered the remaining $220,000.
Col Ssemakula remains in custody at Makindye military barracks. He has not appeared in court during his six-month detention. Defense officials describe corruption at the ministry as "institutionalized," with a standard practice of "10 percent per deal."
The Defence spokesperson, Brig Felix Kulayigye, was unavailable for comment. Questions remain about whether other military leaders received payments in connection with the radio contract.
Military authorities have detained Colonel Peter Ssemakula, the UPDF Chief of Communications and IT, over corruption allegations linked to a $200 million radio procurement deal.
The case centers on a 2023 proposal from Namibian company Satcom to supply Uganda's military with Leopard 1 Wideband military Software Defined Radios. Satcom's local representative, Ambrose Mutafungwa, facilitated the deal.
Former Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi and Col Ssemakula visited Namibia to inspect the radios. The military contracts committee, led by Gen Mbadi, approved the $200 million purchase despite earlier concerns about the radios overheating in jungle conditions.
Military investigators report that Mutafungwa arranged a $300,000 payment to Col Ssemakula after securing the contract. Ssemakula, who prepared documentation supporting the radio procurement, allegedly entrusted the money to a witch doctor for safekeeping.
The situation changed when President Museveni appointed Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of Defence Forces, replacing Mbadi. After learning of potential corruption, Gen Muhoozi canceled the Satcom contract.
Facing pressure to return his commission to Satcom, Mutafungwa met with Gen Muhoozi and revealed the payment to Col Ssemakula. This disclosure led to Ssemakula's immediate arrest. The colonel admitted receiving the money and directed investigators to the witch doctor, who had spent $80,000 of the funds. The military recovered the remaining $220,000.
Col Ssemakula remains in custody at Makindye military barracks. He has not appeared in court during his six-month detention. Defense officials describe corruption at the ministry as "institutionalized," with a standard practice of "10 percent per deal."
The Defence spokesperson, Brig Felix Kulayigye, was unavailable for comment. Questions remain about whether other military leaders received payments in connection with the radio contract.
