During the weekend, an Online paper broke the news that Malaysian Consular in Uganda tycoon Hajji Habib Kagimu had been arrested by the military on the orders of the Chief of Défense Forces (CDF) who is also the Senior presidential advisor on Special Operations Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba
The website reported that Kagimu was being detained at Makindye military barracks in an operation supervised by Gen Muhoozi. The operation is aimed at arresting military bosses and civilians alleged to have participated in corruption practices which have cost the army billions of monies.
However, when contacted, one of his confidant lawyers confirmed to this website that his client’s alleged arrest is fake news noting that his client is busy running his businesses.
“I was shocked with that news because on that Saturday, we met at Sheraton Hotel because he wanted my legal opinion on a certain business he wanted to do with other people. So, we talked for like one hour and I’m told that on that very date he had an appointment with the President at Entebbe State House,” the lawyer said.
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He added that as he was leaving their meeting, he saw him with his armed bodyguards driving out of the hotel in the convoy with military vehicles and two drones and he informed him that he was taking Malaysian investors who needed military cars to meet the President.
Museveni got to know Kagimu through fallen Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi who was his friend and was using him as his broker to seal certain deals and businesses.
However, since Gaddafi’s overthrow and assassination in 2011, Kagimu’s State House connections have been limited and, on several occasions, sources claim, he has failed to meet the big man from Rwakitura.
“When banks were threatening his business empire, he tried to secure a meeting with the President but he failed that’s why some of his properties like buildings in Kampala city centre were auctioned by banks to recover the money they gave to him,” a State House source said.
He had to even sell some of his investments in the Oil and Gas sector and investd part of his money in Dubai and Rwanda.
However, some insiders close to him have told this website that their man is very scared over the ongoing allegations that he is soon facing arrest.
“Yes, it’s true, he has been doing business with UPDF but now it is almost ten years since his last deal with them. There are fears that those people may frame him and get him arrested, if they can frame a bomb attack why not him,” a close friend to Kagimu said.
The development comes at a time when more than ten UPDF officers including Maj Gen James Birungi and a number of civilians are under military detention waiting for their criminal trial on allegations of involving in corruption.
Even though UPDF spokesperson Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye told this website that the reinstatement of the military court where the suspect is set to appear is in the last stages, this website has established that it will start in February 2026.
