US terror, cocaine trafficking case: Former Ugandan soldier remanded ahead of extradition hearing

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded former Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier Michael Katungi Mpeirwe following his arrest on an extradition warrant issued by the United States government.

Mpeirwe appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe on Monday to face extradition proceedings. He is wanted by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alongside three co-defendants—Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, Elisha Odhiambo Asumo, and Subiro Osmund Mwapinga—on a three-count indictment involving drug trafficking, firearms, and terrorism charges.

Specifically, the U.S. government alleges conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine intended for unlawful import into the United States. Mpeirwe also faces charges of conspiracy to possess firearms (including a machine gun and destructive devices) in furtherance of drug trafficking, and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
State Attorneys Adrian Asingwire and Joan Keko informed the court that the extradition request is premised on the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

However, defense lawyer Musa Nsamba immediately objected, signaling his client’s intent to challenge the entire process on points of law. Nsamba also argued that the state had failed to share the necessary case documents and requested that Mpeirwe be granted bail.
“We intend to apply for disclosure,” Nsamba submitted. “No single document has been furnished to the respondent or his lawyers to enable them to respond to the application.”
In response, State Attorney Asingwire clarified that the merits of the case were not yet under discussion. She noted that Monday’s appearance was simply to establish whether Mpeirwe consented to the extradition. Because he objected, the prosecution requested time to formally present its legal basis.

Chief Magistrate Neumbe ruled that the hearing was strictly to secure Mpeirwe’s attendance and initiate the process. Denying the defense’s request for bail, she ordered the prosecution to file its substantive extradition application by July 1, with the defense replying by July 7.
Mpeirwe was remanded until July 10, when the formal hearing is scheduled to begin.