The arrest was reportedly ordered by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, following intelligence reports that the officer had been leaking classified military information.
The detained officer, whose identity has not been disclosed is based in the Communication and Information Technology Department at the Ministry of Defence.
According to journalist Andrew Mwenda, the officer was apprehended after allegedly receiving a payment of $300,000 (approximately UGX 1.1 billion) from an undisclosed SADC country. The money was purportedly meant to facilitate access to and monitoring of UPDF communications, a serious breach of national security.
After being suspected of compromising national security by granting foreign entities access to sensitive military information, reports indicate that upon arrest, the officer quickly refunded the full amount to the UPDF.
While security officials remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the case, sources within the military suggest that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the security breach. The officer is expected to face charges related to espionage, abuse of office, and endangering national security.
This incident comes at a time when Uganda is strengthening its defense and intelligence structures amid growing regional security concerns. Analysts suggest that such a breach, if confirmed, could strain diplomatic relations between Uganda and the implicated SADC country.
Military sources indicate that additional arrests may be made as the investigation deepens, with authorities working to establish whether the accused officer acted alone or was part of a wider espionage network.
The UPDF is yet to issue an official statement, but insiders confirm that the matter is being treated with the highest level of urgency to safeguard national security.
In a security alert issued on February 3, the embassy announced a reduction in its staff and advised Americans to make immediate travel arrangements while commercial options remain available.
“Ensure that your and your family’s travel documents are in order, and pack essential items in bags that you can easily carry. We understand that border crossings remain open for transit, and many flights are departing from N’Djili Airport in Kinshasa,” the embassy advised.
At the same time, the embassy, which was among several foreign missions attacked in [recent protests in Kinshasa->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/protesters-attack-foreign-missions-in-kinshasa-after-m23-offensive-in-goma], informed the public and U.S. nationals that it would be unable to conduct visa interviews or offer routine services.
“Due to the security situation in Kinshasa, the U.S. Embassy will not be conducting any visa interviews and will not be able to offer routine services for U.S. citizens,” the embassy added.
The advisory comes just a week after the M23 rebel group seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. The group has vowed to continue its offensive all the way to the capital, Kinshasa, unless its grievances are addressed.
Speaking during a press conference in Goma on Thursday, Corneille Nangaa, who heads an alliance of rebel groups that includes the M23, said the group would not abandon its course due to “poor governance”.
“We will continue the march of liberation all the way to Kinshasa,” Nangaa stated.
M23 is fighting against the systematic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the region, a situation that has persisted for decades.
Accusing the Congolese administration of poor governance, Nangaa stated that the rebel alliance, AFC, had established a team tasked with reviving the troubled region’s socioeconomic life, as well as overseeing humanitarian, financial, and infrastructure development.
Several other organizations, including the United Nations, have evacuated their staff and families from Goma, citing the deteriorating situation. Due to closed airspace and waterways, the staff were evacuated through Rwanda.
Discussions within the administration about placing USAID under the direct control of the State Department have heightened concerns that America’s premier humanitarian agency could be dismantled or significantly downsized.
In the wake of the funding freeze, USAID has been thrown into turmoil. Hundreds of employees and contractors have been either laid off or furloughed, with nearly 60 senior career officials reportedly sidelined. Overseas operations have ground to a halt, while thousands of additional positions remain at risk.
Signs of the agency’s diminishing presence were stark on Friday, as prominent markers at USAID’s Washington headquarters were removed, fueling speculation that a complete shutdown could be imminent.
Democratic lawmakers have been quick to push back against any potential restructuring, emphasizing that USAID operates as an independent entity by law. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Brian Schatz, along with Representatives Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel, issued a statement warning that “any proposal to modify [USAID’s] structure would require an Act of Congress.”
Senator Chris Murphy echoed this sentiment, stating that “a president cannot eliminate an appropriated federal agency by executive order.”
Despite the agency’s growing instability, President Trump has yet to appoint a leader to oversee USAID. Media reports indicate that Pete Marocco, a Trump administration official with a history at USAID, is leading efforts to shrink the agency’s workforce and influence.
Marocco, who previously faced resistance within USAID due to attempts to consolidate control and cut funding, is now reportedly overseeing widespread personnel changes.
Critics argue that Trump’s aggressive stance on foreign aid is not only disrupting humanitarian efforts but also strengthening geopolitical rivals like China, which has expanded its international aid initiatives.
Senator Chris Van Hollen remarked that “Trump’s USAID purge and foreign aid pause is already hurting efforts to deliver aid and growing China’s world standing at our expense.”
Adding to the controversy, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk weighed in on the agency’s fate on Sunday after a clash between USAID security officials and Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, appointed to lead DOGE, labelled USAID a “criminal organization” after its officials reportedly denied his team access to classified materials.
“Time for it to die,” Musk posted on X, intensifying fears that the administration is intent on dismantling USAID altogether.
Further fueling speculation, USAID’s website temporarily went offline over the weekend, while a stripped-down page appeared under the State Department’s domain. This apparent move toward consolidation led Senator Chris Coons to accuse Trump of “trying to gut the agency altogether.”
The U.S. remains the world’s largest provider of foreign assistance, distributing $72 billion to nearly 180 countries last year—more than half of which flowed through USAID.
USAID supports a wide range of programs across Africa, focusing on health, education, economic growth, governance, climate resilience, and humanitarian assistance.
The agency, founded on November 3, 1961, has been actively involved in Rwanda since 1964, focusing on enhancing the nation’s economic capacity, social climate, and environmental well-being.
In partnership with the Rwandan government, USAID implements programs aimed at improving health systems, boosting agricultural productivity, expanding livelihoods and increasing incomes, among other initiatives.
If the Trump administration follows through on its drastic changes on USAID, the global humanitarian aid landscape could shift dramatically, leaving a void that competing powers may seek to fill.
Meanwhile, Sabail PFK, where Rwandan striker Nshuti Innocent plays, settled for a 1-1 draw against Turan. Nshuti played the entire match as he continues to adapt to his new team. However, Sabail PFK remains in a difficult position, sitting at the bottom of the table with 16 points after 21 games.
In Belgium, Hakim Sahabo played the full match for K. Beerschot V.A in their narrow 1-0 defeat to Genk. Beerschot is facing a tough season, currently sitting in last place with only 13 points from 24 matches.
In the second division, Samuel Gueulette also played the entire match as RAAL La Louvière drew 0-0 with league leaders Zulte Waregem. La Louvière remains in third place with 36 points, trailing the leaders by nine.
Elsewhere in Africa, Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari has struggled for game time at Kaizer Chiefs, as he remained on the bench during their 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates. His team currently sits in third place with 21 points from 15 matches.
In Tunisia, Stade Tunisien, featuring Bonheur Mugisha, played to a goalless draw against Espérance Sportive Metlaoui. Mugisha played the entire game, and his team now stands third with 35 points, just one point behind leaders Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
In Kenya, AFC Leopards secured a 1-0 victory over Nairobi City Stars, but Rwandan forward Arthur Gitego was not part of the squad. His team now ranks fourth in the league with 28 points from 18 matches.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers approach, Rwandan players performing well in their respective leagues will have a strong chance of being called up for the national team, Amavubi, ahead of crucial matches against Nigeria and Lesotho in March 2025.
The temporary measures introduced early Monday morning are “to ensure the safety of civil aircraft operations,” Artem Korenyako, a representative of the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, said in a Telegram post.
Korenyako emphasized that “aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety, which remains the top priority.”
The announcement follows heightened security concerns after reports of a drone attack in the Astrakhan region. Astrakhan governor Igor Babushkin said that Ukraine launched a drone attack overnight, attempting to attack facilities in the region.
“Electronic warfare and air defense systems operated as intended … There were no casualties,” Babushkin said on his Telegram channel.
“South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”
He later told journalists that South Africa’s leadership was involved in serious wrongdoing, stating that an investigation was underway. He suggested that beyond land confiscation, the situation could be even more severe.
In response, South Africa’s foreign ministry stated that it expects Trump’s advisers to use the investigation period to better understand the country’s policies within its constitutional democracy.
South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency, with the U.S. set to take over next.
Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the country’s relationship with Trump, noting that he had spoken to him after his election victory and looked forward to working with his administration.
During his first term, Trump claimed that white farmers in South Africa were being killed on a large scale and that land was being seized through violent takeovers.
The announcement, made on Sunday, February 2, comes at a time when the AI landscape is heating up with competition, notably from the Chinese AI model DeepSeek, which has recently made waves in Silicon Valley.
Deep research is an agentic capability within ChatGPT designed to undertake multi-step research on the internet for complex tasks. With this tool, users can pose a query, and ChatGPT will independently find, analyze, and synthesize hundreds of online sources to produce a comprehensive report that matches the quality of work by a professional research analyst.
This new feature promises to accomplish in “tens of minutes what would take a human many hours.”
The tool is powered by an advanced version of the upcoming OpenAI o3 model, optimized for web browsing and data analysis. It uses reasoning to navigate, interpret, and analyze vast amounts of text, images, and PDFs online, adjusting its approach based on the information it encounters.
This feature targets professionals in fields like finance, science, policy, and engineering, who require thorough and reliable research. It’s also beneficial for consumers looking for detailed, personalized recommendations for significant purchases. Each output from deep research includes clear citations and a summary of its methodology, ensuring transparency and verifiability.
To use deep research, users simply select the option in the ChatGPT interface, input their query, and can even attach files to provide additional context. The tool could take from 5 to 30 minutes to deliver its findings, during which users can continue with other tasks, receiving a notification when the research is complete. The result is presented as a detailed report within the chat, with plans to soon include embedded images and data visualizations for enhanced clarity.
The model behind deep research has set new benchmarks in public evaluations like Humanity’s Last Exam, achieving a score of 26.6% accuracy across a broad spectrum of subjects. This performance indicates significant advancements in the AI’s ability to handle real-world, domain-specific inquiries with depth and detail beyond superficial summaries.
The introduction of deep research coincides with heightened competition from DeepSeek, which has caused a stir in the tech world due to its performance and cost-effectiveness.
DeepSeek, released on January 20th, has quickly climbed to the top of Apple Store’s download charts, capturing the attention of AI experts and the entire tech industry. The model’s ascent has been nothing short of a phenomenon, astonishing investors and leading to a notable downturn in some tech stocks.
U.S. President Donald Trump has labelled DeepSeek’s rise as a “wake-up call” for American companies, urging them to focus on “competing to win” in the global AI landscape.
DeepSeek’s unique selling point is its development at a fraction of the cost compared to leading models like those from OpenAI, achieved by utilizing fewer advanced chips.
This efficiency has directly challenged the established market dynamics, causing chip-making giant Nvidia to lose nearly $600 billion in market value in just one day – marking the largest single-day drop in U.S. stock market history.
Meanwhile, OpenAI says the deep research tool is available to Pro users, with plans to roll it out to Plus, Team, and eventually Enterprise subscribers, marking a significant step towards the company’s broader goal of advancing towards artificial general intelligence (AGI).
In a statement, the management of the premier event-hosting facility apologized to fans for the inconvenience and announced that refunds are available upon request for those who had booked their spots.
“We understand your excitement for this event, and we share in your disappointment. Refunds are available upon request. For inquiries, please contact Centrika via WhatsApp at +250 787 272 036,” the management stated.
Tems was scheduled to thrill fans in Kigali as part of her famed Born in the Wild world tour, which includes stops in major African cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and Addis Ababa.
However, the celebrated Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, born Temilade Openiyi, announced the cancellation of her Kigali event on January 30, citing the ongoing conflict in the neighbouring eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Tems, known for chart-topping hits such as Free Mind and Essence, has amassed a massive global following.
The 29-year-old won her first Grammy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023 in the category of Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future’s song Wait For U, which also featured Drake.
Her performance in Kigali had been anticipated as a night of electrifying music, expected to draw fans from across the region and beyond, further positioning Kigali as a rising entertainment hub in Africa.
In an official press statement issued on February 2, 2025, FARDC confirmed that Colonel Rugabisha died in combat on Saturday, February 1, near Mukwiza in Kalehe territory, South Kivu.
The colonel was leading his troops in a fierce battle on the Southern Front, courageously repelling enemy forces from Nyabibwe to the outskirts of Minova before succumbing to his injuries.
“The Congolese nation will forever be grateful to this worthy son of the country who shone through his feats of arms and consistently defended his homeland against aggressions and rebellions within our borders,” the statement read, signed by Major General Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa Efomi, spokesperson for the FARDC General Staff.
His death comes amid escalating tensions in South Kivu, where FARDC forces are engaged in relentless battles against M23 rebels. The region has been the epicenter of violent clashes in recent months, as M23 forces advance toward strategic towns.
The colonel’s death follows the demise of Pacifique Ntawunguka (Omega), who was the leader of the military division of the FDLR known as FOCA (Les Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi), and who also fought alongside the FARDC forces.
After losing many soldiers on the battlefield, the FARDC withdrew from the city of Goma on January 26, 2025, along with other areas in North Kivu. Fighting continued in South Kivu with the United Nations recently announcing a critical phase of the conflict, where M23 rebels are advancing close to Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Reports indicate that rebel forces are now within 20-25 kilometers of the city, raising fears of a potential fall that could further destabilize the region.
The M23 leadership has maintained that they will continue fighting until they have captured Kinshasa. Meanwhile, the Congolese government has vowed to reclaim all the areas that the group has taken over.
In an interview with IGIHE, Minister Nduhungirehe addressed statements from a recent SADC extraordinary summit, where the bloc alleged that RDF troops were operating in DRC’s North Kivu province and attacking Congolese forces, SADC troops under SAMIDRC, and civilians.
“There were statements in the SADC meeting that are completely unacceptable—blatant lies claiming that RDF is in DRC and responsible for civilian deaths,” Nduhungirehe stated.
He pointed out that these accusations follow similar unfounded claims by South Africa’s government, particularly from its Minister of Defence. Nduhungirehe linked the SADC allegations to recent tensions between Rwanda and South Africa, which he attributed to certain South African officials.
“The root of this issue is some South African leaders, particularly their Minister of Defence. However, Presidents Kagame and Ramaphosa had two productive discussions last week, agreeing that a ceasefire is needed and that DRC must engage in dialogue with M23.”
During their talks, President Ramaphosa reportedly acknowledged that South African soldiers killed in a recent clash were attacked by DRC’s army (FARDC), not M23 or RDF.
Additionally, Nduhungirehe revealed that Ramaphosa requested Rwanda to allow SADC troops access to water, electricity, and food, a request President Kagame agreed to facilitate.
However, the situation escalated after South Africa’s Defence and Foreign Ministers falsely claimed that Ramaphosa had given Kagame an ultimatum, leading to a response from both Nduhungirehe and Kagame.
“I responded on X, correcting the false claims that RDF had been warned. The truth is, SAMIDRC troops are not peacekeepers—they are fighting alongside FARDC, FDLR, and mercenaries.”
Rwanda maintains that SADC troops were deployed to fight alongside the Congolese army, rather than to restore peace, as they claim. Kigali has also accused DRC’s government of collaborating with FDLR, Burundian forces, and European mercenaries in planning attacks against Rwanda.
“Recent intelligence from Goma confirms that the military buildup in Eastern DRC was not just aimed at fighting M23, but at launching an attack on Rwanda,” the Rwandan government stated.
While Kigali insists RDF will not attack civilians, it has made it clear that its forces will defend Rwanda’s borders and protect its citizens from any cross-border threats.
Meanwhile, discussions between EAC and SADC leaders have been proposed to de-escalate tensions and find a regional solution. Rwanda has indicated its willingness to engage diplomatically, but remains firm in rejecting what it calls “baseless accusations”.
