Brigadier-General Richard Tukachungurwa has been appointed Head of the General Court Martial, following a State House communication dated 25 November 2025. 

His appointment made by President Museveni under Sections 192, 193 and 195 of the UPDF Act and based on Judicial Service Commission advice ushers in a full reshuffle of the General Court Martial as well as leadership changes in several Division Court Martials.

Tukachungurwa previously served as a Judge Advocate. 

The appointment comes amid shifting legal boundaries for military courts. On 31 January 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that tribunals like the General Court Martial lacked constitutional authority to try civilians. Parliament later passed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025, restoring limited military‑court jurisdiction over civilians under defined “exceptional circumstances.”

The reconstituted General Court Martial includes senior officers such as Colonel Simon Tusah Wankandya, Colonel Asha Patra, Colonel Fredrick Kangwamu, Colonel Raphael Mugisha, Lieutenant-Colonel Mohammedie Nasser Igambi, and Majors, Amodoi Samuel Moses, Arihaihi Emmnuel, Nyombi Abubakar, and Chemtai Denis tasked with supporting the tribunal’s work.

In parallel, new leaders have been appointed to Division Court Martials. Lieutenant-Colonel David Drani Epalu will chair the Fourth Division Court Martial, while Lieutenant-Colonel Yaqoub Hassan Mulyanti will chair Special Forces Group.

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.