Uganda Approves Extradition Of Former Soldier Accused Of Arming Mexican Drug Cartels

Ugandan prosecutors have approved the extradition of retired army lieutenant Katungi Michael Mpeirwe to the United States, where he faces charges of conspiring to supply about $54 million worth of weapons to Mexican drug cartels. US prosecutors allege that Mpeirwe worked with an international network to move weapons from Bulgaria through Tanzania to criminal groups, including the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). The alleged weapons included machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, sniper rifles, mines and anti-aircraft equipment. The case also involves Bulgarian arms trafficker Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, who was arrested in Spain in 2025 and later extradited to the US. Mirchev had previously been linked to notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

LUganda Approves Extradition Of Former Soldier Accused Of Arming Mexican Drug Cartels
Ugandan prosecutors have approved the extradition of a retired Ugandan army officer to the United States, where he faces charges of conspiring to supply millions of dollars' worth of weapons to Mexican drug cartels.
Katungi Michael Mpeirwe, a former lieutenant in the Ugandan army, is accused by US prosecutors of being part of an international weapons-trafficking network that allegedly sought to provide military-grade arms to criminal organisations in Mexico.
Uganda's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed on Friday that it had approved the extradition process.

US ACCUSES FORMER SOLDIER OF ARMS CONSPIRACY

According to an indictment filed in the US state of Virginia, Mpeirwe allegedly conspired to supply about $54 million worth of weapons to Mexican drug cartels.
Among the weapons listed in the indictment are machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, sniper rifles, anti-personnel mines, night-vision equipment and anti-aircraft weapons.
US prosecutors allege that the intended recipients included the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), one of Mexico's most powerful and violent criminal organisations.
The indictment alleges that the network was prepared to go beyond conventional firearms and potentially supply sophisticated weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft drones and ZU-23 anti-aircraft weapon systems.

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK ALLEGED

US authorities allege that Mpeirwe did not act alone.
The indictment names Bulgarian arms trafficker Peter Dimitrov Mirchev, as well as individuals from Kenya and Tanzania, as alleged members of the wider conspiracy.
According to prosecutors, the group planned to move weapons from Bulgaria to Tanzania before transporting them onward to Mexican drug cartels.
The alleged route highlights the international nature of modern arms trafficking, in which weapons can pass through several countries before reaching criminal groups thousands of kilometres from their original source.

CONNECTION TO NOTORIOUS ARMS DEALER VIKTOR BOUT

The case has also attracted attention because of Mirchev's alleged links to notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Bout became internationally known as one of the world's most notorious illegal arms dealers and was accused of supplying weapons to armed groups and conflict zones.
Mirchev had previously been implicated in supplying weapons to Bout, according to the US indictment.
Mirchev was arrested in Spain in April 2025 and was later extradited to the United States, where he is facing the US case.

MEXICAN CARTELS AND THE GLOBAL ARMS TRADE

Mexican drug cartels have long relied on access to large quantities of firearms and other weapons to fight rival groups, intimidate communities and confront security forces.
The CJNG, in particular, has developed a reputation for its military-style tactics and heavy weaponry.
The organisation operates across parts of Mexico and has also developed international criminal connections linked to drug trafficking, money laundering and other forms of organised crime.
The alleged attempt to supply the cartel with military-grade weapons demonstrates the growing overlap between the international illegal arms trade and organised drug trafficking.

WHAT THE EXTRADITION MEANS

Uganda's decision clears an important legal hurdle for Mpeirwe's transfer to the United States.
Once extradited, he will face the US judicial process and will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations against him in court.
The charges remain allegations unless and until they are proven in court.
The case also illustrates how law-enforcement agencies are increasingly cooperating across borders to investigate suspected international criminal networks.

A WIDER SECURITY CONCERN

The alleged weapons deal raises concerns beyond Mexico because the trafficking of military-grade weapons can contribute to violence in multiple regions.
Weapons moved through international trafficking networks can potentially end up in the hands of criminal organisations, militant groups or other armed actors.
For African countries used as transit points, such cases also highlight the importance of stronger controls over arms shipments and cooperation with international investigators.
The Mpeirwe case could therefore become an important test of international efforts to disrupt the movement of weapons from established arms markets to powerful criminal organisations.
As the extradition process moves forward, US authorities are expected to pursue their case against Mpeirwe and other alleged members of the network.