His body was discovered on Friday February 21, 2025 by students who had woken up for morning preps. The shocked students later informed teachers who later managed to get police to the scene at around 4 am.
However, since then, information about the incident has since been scanty after the school management concealed it from the public.
Efforts to get an official comment from the police were futile. However, officers from Mukono police station who preferred anonymity confirmed the incident and said that the body was taken to the city mortuary for a postmortem.
The officer also indicated that the school management cautioned them against revealing the incident to the public, especially the media. Seeta Schools belong to the State Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo.
A CID officer at Mukono Police Station who preferred anonymity told Uganda Radio Network, that the boy used a rope from the mosquito net to hang himself.
The deceased’s body is expected to be taken to Kyotera for burial. Currently, the vigil is held at Nyanama. This is the second incident involving the death of a student in a school in Mukono district.
Two weeks ago, a senior three student of Mpoma Girls, Carnelian Mary Ndagire, set herself on fire, protesting to return to the same school.
On February 14, 2025, as the M23 group prepared to enter the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, soldiers and police officers in the city, including those guarding the Bukavu Central Prison, all fled.
What many people noticed was that as soon as the soldiers and police left the city, 2300 inmates at Bukavu Central Prison, known as Prison Centrale de Bukavu, also all escaped.
In an interview with IGIHE, Ilunga Dilamunga Nkonde, who was in charge of the prison, revealed that it was around 10 PM when those responsible for the prison’s security fled.
“It was around 10 PM when the soldiers guarding the inmates at Prison Centrale de Bukavu realized that M23 was about to enter the city and they fled. The prisoners immediately broke down the doors and escaped. We didn’t know what to do because we had no guns, and the police had left,” he said.
The former director mentioned that the prison held 2376 inmates, including women even though the prison has the capacity to accommodate 500 inmates.
Ilunga expressed regret that it was being vandalized by thieves stealing its roofing materials. “I request AFC/M23 to send soldiers to protect this prison so that it does not continue to be destroyed, as it will have nowhere to incarcerate offenders.”
Residents in the city of Bukavu, particularly in Panzi, told IGIHE that in the evening hours, there were people waiting for residents on the road to rob them and that they suspect this was being carried out by gangs that were previously incarcerated in Bukavu Central Prison.
The spokesperson for AFC/M23, Laurence Kanyuka, stated that the issue of escaped prisoners was not limited to the city of Bukavu as the same situation occurred in the city of Goma.
“As we did in Goma, we are establishing means to gather information on the escaped prisoners. We did this in Goma, and today Goma is secure. We are going to implement it here in Bukavu; we have set up a hotline for residents to call when they have a security issue, and we have established a means to ensure residents’ safety,” he said.
A thrilling symphony as music fans swarmed into the buzzing venue, it was an extraordinary experience that would leave a lasting mark on the hearts and souls of those fortunate enough to attend.
“I’m so excited to be in Kigali and I couldn’t be any happier. We’re here because we love you, feel connected to you. It’s a thrill. I love your energy, keep it going,” Legend told the crowd as he kicked off his landmark performance.
As he sat behind his piano, bathed in blue stage lighting and white outfit, cheers erupting around him.
It is at this point that excitement crackled like electrified energy among the crowd setting the stage, bathed in dazzling lights while doing what he does best to entertain the audience.
The stage became a platform of pleasure where creativity fused with passion, concealed the revellers with magic that would sprout from the depths of his mesmerizing performance.
And as the dim lights gradually illuminated the crowd, deafening cheers exploded, sending a wave of infectious energy through the sea of music lovers, as if an invisible thread connected everyone present.
Meanwhile this had been preceded by a dynamic performance from local artist Bwiza with her classic hits such as ‘Ogera,’ a collabo with Rwandan super star Bruce Melody. A brief preview of last year’s show had been also showcased.
Minute after minute Legend displayed his extraordinary work. From whimsical ballads to high-energy dances, the concert weaved a tapestry of captivating melodies and remarkable performances.
As the beats echoed through the venue, time seemed to fly away, taking the audience on an unforgettable sonic journey, a marvel of unique musical combinations they never could have imagined.
After a series of breath-taking performances, the concert approached its climactic finale as he undertook a solo performance of the song “All of me,” throwing the crowd into further ecstasy leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all in attendance.
Among those who graced the occasion is His Excellency President Paul Kagame and First Lady who could also not hide their excitement as the show came to a close.
Long after the night ended, the memories of that extraordinary music experience continue to echo, transcending barriers and uniting people in a shared ecstasy; inspiring and fueling dreams of a world filled with harmony. What a night to remember!
Ruto, who met Thursday with holdout opposition groups from South Sudan in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, said the talks will resume in March.
The talks between South Sudan’s transitional government and holdout opposition groups, dubbed Tumaini, meaning hope in Swahili, have been ongoing in Nairobi since last year.
Ruto said in a statement that the mediation process “adjourns until March 2025 to facilitate consultations that will inform the way forward.”
In December 2023, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan asked Ruto to assume the lead role in mediating the peace talks, taking over from the community of Sant’Egidio in Rome, Italy.
South Sudan is grappling with significant challenges, including 9 million people requiring humanitarian aid, 7.5 million people experiencing food insecurity, and an influx of more than 1 million returnees and refugees fleeing violence in neighboring Sudan.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosions in the Tel Aviv area, which caused no injuries. However, Hamas’ Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Tulkarm, northern West Bank, issued a statement praising the attack. “The revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten as long as the occupier is present on our lands,” the statement read.
Katz vowed to exact a “heavy price” from those responsible. “We will hunt down the terrorists relentlessly and destroy the terror infrastructure,” he said in a statement released by his ministry.
He said the intensified raids would focus on “the Tulkarm refugee camp and all refugee camps in the West Bank.” Israel’s state-owned Kan TV reported that the Shin Bet domestic security agency was investigating whether those who planted the explosive devices came from Tulkarm after a sticker found on one of the devices suggested the attack was “revenge” for recent Israeli raids that caused widespread destruction in the area.
In the attack, three empty buses exploded within minutes, and explosive devices were found on two other buses, police said.
Public transportation, including buses, trains, and Tel Aviv’s light rail, was temporarily suspended nationwide for security scans.
Speaking to French television channel LCI, Haddad revealed that Macron had already spoken with Trump twice this week regarding Ukraine.
“Our approach is to maintain dialogue with the president of the United States to ensure that the voice of the Europeans is heard in this negotiation,” he said.
Macron is expected to emphasize to Trump that “the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, and the future and security of Europe cannot be negotiated and decided without the Europeans.”
Haddad stressed that Europe has contributed more to Ukraine than the United States, and therefore, must have a say in the process.
Moreover, Macron will also address tariffs that Trump plans to impose on European products. “A trade war, protectionism is not in anyone’s interest,” the minister warned.
This week, Macron has hosted European and non-European partners twice to coordinate a common stance on Ukraine. Both meetings concluded with a unified position that any peace talks should include both Ukraine and Europe.
President Félix Tshisekedi has been requesting military support from his counterpart, President Mahamat Idriss Déby of Chad, to fight the M23 armed group, which has made significant advances in the east, capturing strategic areas including the cities of Bukavu and Goma.
Takilal Ndolassem, a prominent politician who leads the opposition party Front Populaire pour la Libération (FPL), stated that just because Chad has good relations with the DRC, it does not mean it should send its soldiers to die in a foreign war.
Ndolassem reminded President Mahamat that the DRC has a large population, and it should be training its own soldiers to protect the country instead of asking Chad—a country with fewer than 30 million people—to send troops.
He said, “It is inappropriate to send Chadians to die in the DRC. It is not possible, Mr. President, because we are a small population on land covering 1,284,000 square kilometres. Yet, in Kinshasa, there are 20 million people, and in all of Congo, 140 million. Why should we send our people to die there?”
The politician explained that the Chadian government has also faced armed groups for many years but has never asked the international community to send troops to help fight them.
He urged President Mahamat to avoid taking sides and to support peaceful resolutions made by African heads of state, which include calls for dialogue between the DRC government and M23.
Human rights advocate, Dr. Ibrahim Mahamat Ali, reminded that in 1998, Chad sent troops to the DRC to assist Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who was fighting the armed group RCD.
He said, “We don’t want history to repeat itself. Today, it is necessary for Chad and other countries to avoid sending troops and instead rely on diplomacy to resolve the conflict. It is time for this to stop!”
Dr. Ibrahim emphasised that Chad is not a military reserve ready to go abroad whenever asked, highlighting that the DRC should have built its own military forces long ago.
He said, “The Congolese should have focused on strengthening their army long ago instead of focusing on fashion.”
Citing Chad’s involvement in Mali, focused on counterterrorism efforts, Dr. Ibrahim said the situation in eastern Congo is “very different.”
“Our intervention in Mali was to protect a people from a terrorist threat. It was a righteous cause. The situation in DRC is very different. Let’s not put our soldiers on the line to defend a leader who seeks to stay in power,” he stated.
He stressed that in Congo, M23 rebels enjoy support from the population they seek to protect from persecution and marginalisation targeted at Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.
“We all witnessed the enthusiasm of the people as the M23 arrived in the region under control,” he remarked.
The DRC’s military is already cooperating with those of Burundi, the FDLR, and the Wazalendo militias in the war.
Other groups present in the DRC include troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations peacekeeping force (MONUSCO). Meanwhile, nearly 300 European mercenaries who had been fighting alongside the Congolese army were recently forced to withdraw after the fall of Goma to the M23 rebels.
Makanika was the group’s leader and was killed in a drone strike launched by a coalition of DRC forces on February 19, 2025. Twirwaneho is a Kinyarwanda word meaning “let us defend ourselves.”
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Ndakize Kamasa Welcome, on February 20, the group extended condolences to the Banyamulenge community, its supporters, and Twirwaneho members worldwide.
“Our hero passed away on February 19, 2025, falling on the battlefield while fighting against the genocide that has been waged against the Banyamulenge and similar communities for the past seven years. This genocide has been planned and executed by the government of our country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in collaboration with Wazalendo and its partners, who carried out the drone attack from Kisangani to weaken our self-defence efforts,” the statement read.
Twirwaneho reiterated that the resistance efforts initiated by Col Makanika would continue, emphasizing that nothing would halt their struggle.
The group also called on Banyamulenge people across the world to rise and join their self-defence mission “until we achieve victory against attempts to exterminate us, seize our ancestral land, and end the injustices and killings we suffer.”
Col Makanika was formerly the Deputy Commander of FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) in Walikale, North Kivu province, where he was in charge of operations and intelligence.
He previously stated that he left the Congolese military after realizing that it was failing to protect his Banyamulenge community, which had long been subjected to violence by armed groups, with some elements within the military allegedly complicit in these atrocities.
For many years, the Banyamulenge in the DRC have been subjected to extreme violence. Observers describe these acts as genocide.
Since colonial times, the Banyamulenge have been denied rights in their own country, including the right to exist. Direct attacks against them date back to 1964 during the Mulele Rebellion. After a period of relative calm, large-scale massacres resumed in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
Since April 2017, the violence has escalated dramatically. Armed Mai-Mai groups, in collaboration with Red Tabara and FNL PALIPEHUTU from Burundi, have launched coordinated attacks from various locations, particularly in South Kivu province, including Lemera, Rurambo, Itombwe, Swima, Uvira, Sange, and Lulenge.
These groups have engaged in widespread killings, house burnings, livestock theft, and forced displacements, in what appears to be a well-organized campaign of violence.
A consultative meeting held on February 20, 2025 that focused on shaping careers and creating opportunities in the digital age, brought together young entrepreneurs, students, professionals, and key stakeholders to explore this dynamic landscape.
The event, organized by Code Empowerment Progress (CEP), served as a platform to inspire, educate, and connect, empowering attendees to thrive in the ever-evolving digital economy.
As Ornella Uwase Ndahiro, founder and CEO at CEP explained, the digital age should find young people equipped with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to leverage technology for social and economic growth.
She shared a personal insight into her journey in the digital space, highlighting the challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and community-building in navigating the digital economy.
Many individuals, such as Isaac Rudasingwa, have been inspired through success stories and gained from knowledge about available tools and opportunities.
Rudasingwa, Co-founder of Medixr, discussed the role of innovation and digital tools in healthcare and beyond, urging young people to explore tech-driven solutions to everyday challenges.
Similarly, Rogers Kamugisha, an expert in the education sector, shed light into education and leadership development, encouraging attendees to build practical skills and leverage mentorship for career growth.
The event targeted youths aged between 16 and 25 ambitious to leverage technology and brought together individuals, influencers and industry leaders.
During a panel discussion, where speakers shared invaluable insights, Cynthia Umutoniwase, proprietor of LOOPA Ltd., a local company involved in the production of organic waste management material, emphasized the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.
“Share your ideas and be open to feedback, even if it’s not what you want to hear. Always strive to learn something new, and develop strong money management skills,” she advised.
When seeking partners, Umutoniwase cautioned on finding individuals who complement each other sharing the same vision and aspirations. “Always remember to have everything clearly documented,” she said.
Cedric Mupenzi, CEO of Sinc Today, echoed the importance of teamwork and vision. “The biggest mistake young entrepreneurs make is involving unmotivated individuals. As a founder, it’s your responsibility to communicate your goals and visions to your team and work relentlessly to achieve them,” he cautioned.
He revealed that the secret lies in having the right team, a solid structure, logistical support, and the right partners.
The interactive sessions provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the speakers, while networking thus fostering connections between peers and potential mentors.
King Ngabo, founder of the Ingabo Museum based at Rebero, offered a powerful call to action. “Use your energy while you’re young. Don’t wait for approval to pursue your passions. People will recognize and appreciate your work along the way,” he urged.
The consultative meeting offered practical tools and strategies to navigate the digital landscape, equipping youth with the skills needed to build successful careers.
The outcomes included increased awareness of technology’s role in career development, practical insights for taking actionable steps toward digital success, stronger networks between young innovators and stakeholders, and a platform to celebrate the next generation of digital leaders.
The event served as a powerful reminder that the future of work is digital, and young people are at the forefront, shaping their own careers while creating opportunities for themselves and others.
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Gen. (Rtd.) Kabarebe, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation, accusing him of playing a key role in Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group operating in the eastern Congo, a claim that the government has repeatedly denied.
The U.S. claims that M23 has been responsible for human rights abuses in the region.
Reacting to the move, Rwanda’s Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo dismissed the sanctions as unjustified and ineffective, arguing that punitive measures would not resolve the crisis in eastern DRC.
“The sanctions are unjustified. The international community should support, not undermine, ongoing regional efforts towards a political solution. If sanctions could resolve the conflict in eastern DRC, we would have had peace in the region decades ago,” Makolo said.
Rwanda has consistently argued that the crisis in eastern Congo is rooted in deeper historical and governance issues that require political solutions rather than external pressure.
M23 also denies the allegations of human rights violations, stating that it is fighting against decades of persecution and marginalisation of Congolese Rwandophones in eastern Congo. The conflict has, among others, been attributed to the arbitrary drawing of borders during the colonial period.
“Rwanda was a German colony, and in 1910, 1912, and 1911, there was a meeting in Brussels where Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom decided to draw the borders between the three countries artificially. We had part of the Kingdom of Rwanda which was given to Congo with the people, and another part was given to Uganda. Then we have people of Rwandan culture and heritage in those two countries; in DRC, which was Congo at that time, and Uganda,” Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Oliver Nduhungirehe explained during a recent interview.
“But those in Uganda never had any problem; they were integrated into society, considered as Ugandans. However, those in Congo, who have lived there since 1910, were never considered as Congolese; they were always suspected to be Rwandan. And this went on until the independence of Congo, and this marginalization under suspicion continued. In the 1970s, the then President of Zaire, which was the name of the country, President Mobutu, decided to give them citizenship, but 10 years later in the 80s, he stripped that citizenship from them, so their situation was always difficult,” he added.
