A Ugandan court has remanded Michael Katungi Mpeirwe, a member of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), as authorities consider a request from the United States seeking his extradition over alleged international drug trafficking and terrorism-related offences.
Katungi appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday after his arrest in connection with a U.S. indictment issued by the Eastern District of Virginia.
American prosecutors accuse him of participating in a transnational criminal network alongside three other suspects: Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, Elisha Odhiambo Asumo and Subiro Osmund Mwapinga.
According to the indictment, the suspects allegedly conspired to traffic at least five kilograms of cocaine, knowing the narcotics were destined for the United States. They are also accused of conspiring to acquire and supply firearms, including machine guns and destructive devices, to support drug trafficking activities.
In addition, U.S. prosecutors allege the group provided material support to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a Mexican criminal organization that the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Investigators claim Katungi played a key role in obtaining End-User Certificates and other export documentation from Uganda and other African countries to disguise the intended recipients of weapons allegedly destined for the cartel.
During the court proceedings, Katungi opposed his extradition to the United States. However, prosecutors informed the court that the formal extradition request required under Ugandan law had not yet been filed.
The magistrate nevertheless ordered that he be remanded pending further proceedings.
The three other individuals named in the U.S. indictment have already been transferred to American custody from Spain, Morocco and Ghana, respectively, where they were arrested.
The extradition case is expected to continue once the United States submits the necessary legal documentation through the appropriate diplomatic and judicial channels.
The charges against Katungi remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until they are proven in a competent court of law.