Court Allows Extradition Proceedings Against Former UPDF Officer Michael Katungi to Continue

Chief Magistrate Ritah Kadasa of Buganda Road Court has rejected an attempt by the defense team of Michael Katungi, a former officer of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), to halt his extradition proceedings to the United States. The ruling clarifies that a pending application seeking to suspend these proceedings does not, in itself, halt the court case.

Katungi’s lead counsel, Medard Ssegona, had argued that the extradition process should be suspended pending the determination of a constitutional challenge against it. Ssegona highlighted that Katungi faces no criminal charges in Uganda and questioned the legal basis for his surrender, especially in the absence of a formal extradition treaty. He contended that allowing the magistrate’s court proceedings to continue could undermine the potential relief sought in the constitutional case.

However, the State opposed the defense’s request, accusing them of attempting to delay the proceedings they had previously helped to advance. State counsel Ms. Sasegure noted that the hearing date had been set by mutual consent, and the defense had even obtained permission to cross-examine a deponent supporting the extradition request.

In her ruling, Magistrate Kadasa emphasized that the mere filing of an application for a stay does not automatically suspend proceedings; a stay only takes effect when granted by a court. She criticized the defense’s conduct, noting that they had filed the stay application over five weeks prior but had not pursued it, instead continuing to engage in the extradition proceedings. Kadasa invoked Article 126(2)(b) of the Constitution, which mandates that courts administer justice without undue delay, stating that granting the request would reward such delay.

While dismissing the immediate request to halt the proceedings, Kadasa clarified that the separate application for a stay of proceedings has not been dismissed and remains scheduled for hearing on August 31, 2026. The court found no exceptional circumstances to justify stopping the extradition proceedings, allowing them to continue while the broader constitutional challenge and the stay application are resolved.

Michael Katungi is wanted by the United States for alleged involvement in an international narcotics and firearms trafficking conspiracy, including supplying weapons to Mexico’s Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación and cocaine trafficking. The Ugandan government approved his extradition in April 2026.