Ugandan national Michael Katungi Mpweire, 45, has appeared before a federal court in the United States following his extradition over an alleged scheme to supply military-grade weapons to a Mexican drug cartel.
Katungi appeared before a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on October 8, 2026, facing three conspiracy charges linked to cocaine trafficking, firearms offences associated with drug trafficking, and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.
US prosecutors say a conviction could attract a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, with the final sentence to be determined by the court under applicable federal sentencing guidelines.
The extradition followed months of legal proceedings in Uganda, where Katungi challenged the request to transfer him to the United States.
A former Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and former Patriotic League of Uganda official, Katungi first appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on June 29, 2026.
On August 28, Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa Neumbe rejected his objections and committed him to prison pending a decision by the Justice Minister on his surrender.
Katungi had challenged the authority of officials handling the extradition request, the procedures followed and the involvement of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He also claimed diplomatic immunity based on his previous service in Nigeria.
However, the court rejected his immunity argument, noting that neither Uganda nor the United States was the country to which he had been accredited. It emphasised that extradition proceedings determine whether a suspect should be transferred to face trial abroad, not whether the allegations are proven.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao subsequently authorised Katungi’s surrender in a letter dated September 1, 2026, directing the Uganda Prisons Service to hand him over to an authorised US representative.
The authorisation restricted his surrender to the offences covered by the extradition request.
Alleged Weapons Deal Worth $58 Million
According to the US indictment, Katungi allegedly participated in an international weapons procurement scheme beginning in at least September 2022.
Prosecutors allege that he worked alongside Bulgarian national Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, Kenyan national Elisha Odhiambo Asumo and Tanzanian national Subiro Osmund Mwapinga to arrange the supply of weapons to Mexican drug cartels, particularly the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
Investigators allege that the group believed the weapons would help the cartel protect large cocaine shipments destined for the United States.
Mirchev allegedly negotiated with individuals claiming to represent the cartel, while Katungi, Asumo and Mwapinga allegedly obtained a Tanzanian end-user certificate to authorise the importation of AK-47 rifles while concealing their intended destination.
Prosecutors say the documentation facilitated a proposed test shipment of 50 automatic rifles, magazines and ammunition from Bulgaria intended for the CJNG.
The alleged operation later expanded into a proposed weapons package valued at approximately €53.7 million, equivalent to about $58 million. The package potentially included surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft drones and a ZU-23 anti-aircraft weapon system.
The CJNG was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States on February 20, 2025.
Co-Accused Plead Guilty
Two alleged associates have already pleaded guilty in connection with the wider case.
Asumo pleaded guilty to cocaine conspiracy charges on July 23, 2026, while Mwapinga entered a guilty plea on September 9, 2026.
Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for November 4, 2026, and January 13, 2027, respectively.
Katungi’s case now moves to the US judicial system, where he will face the charges outlined in the indictment.
He remains accused of the alleged offences, and the prosecution must prove its case in court.
