Tag: HomeNews

  • Museveni praises Trump for mass deportations

    Museveni praises Trump for mass deportations

    Speaking at a rally in Arua City on Friday, Museveni lauded Trump for “kicking out immigrants” and urged Ugandans to focus on national development rather than seeking opportunities abroad.

    “Africanism. Love Africa. Why? Because you need it,” Museveni said. “I like Mr. Trump so much myself. He has said, ‘Don’t come here now to America.’ I say thank you so much for chasing those wanderers. What are they going to do in America?”

    “I love Trump for chasing you, people who don’t care about their country, they go all over the place,” he added.

    Museveni used the example of Trump’s deportation measures to emphasise African self-reliance.

    “This teaches you that you build your own capacity, within Uganda, within Africa. Love Uganda, love Africa,” he said, highlighting that national markets and domestic production are critical for wealth creation.

    Trump’s mass deportation program, which began upon his inauguration on January 20, 2025, has been described by the administration as the largest in U.S. history. The program combines formal deportations with “self-deportations,” facilitated in part through the repurposed CBP One app, renamed “CBP Home”, which offers voluntary migrants cash incentives to leave.

    By December 2025, the Department of Homeland Security reported over 2.5 million people had left the U.S., including more than 600,000 formal deportations and nearly 1.9 million self-deportations.

    In addition to enforcement actions, Uganda was recently added to an expanded U.S. visa bond program requiring some travelers to post refundable deposits of up to $15,000 for certain visa applications. The initiative is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to reduce visa overstays and enforce stricter immigration controls.

    President Yoweri Museveni has praised his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, for his strict immigration enforcement, calling it a lesson for Africans to build their own countries.
  • Over 50 Congolese refugees die in Burundi, UN says

    Over 50 Congolese refugees die in Burundi, UN says

    The refugee agency reported on Friday that 25 of the deaths were caused by a cholera outbreak, while six others resulted from anaemia and malnutrition-related complications. Authorities are still investigating the causes of the remaining deaths, with the UN working alongside local officials and humanitarian partners to gather more information.

    More than 100,000 people have sought refuge in Burundi since December, when fighting between the Congolese army and M23 rebels intensified in the border town of Uvira. Many of the displaced are living in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, clean water, and basic services.

    Children and women, including pregnant women, are particularly vulnerable, with roughly half of those displaced under the age of 18. Overcrowding in refugee sites has also increased the risk of outbreaks of cholera, measles, and malaria, UN officials warned.

    Jean Jacques Purusi, governor of South Kivu province where Uvira is located, described the situation as “misery” and “a crisis completely forgotten by the international community and media.”

    The Burundian government confirmed that the number of Congolese refugees exceeded the capacity of nearby camps. Feeding them was a challenge, and many were affected by cholera outbreaks caused by poor sanitation.

    Although UNHCR confirmed 53 deaths, other sources were even more alarming. The CPCC, a community-based NGO, reported that 105 Congolese refugees had died in camps in Burundi over the past two weeks, mostly due to lack of food and medical care.

    On January 5, 2026, the organisation’s director, Ahadi Bya Masu, told Radio Okapi that some refugees had also been attacked by criminals while in the camps in Burundi, resulting in additional deaths.

    At least 53 Congolese refugees who fled escalating fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have died in neighbouring Burundi, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
  • U.S. launches large-scale strikes against IS targets in Syria

    U.S. launches large-scale strikes against IS targets in Syria

    “Today, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time, U.S. Central Command forces, alongside partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria,” the command posted on X.

    The command said these strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on December 19 in response to a deadly IS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13. In the attack, a lone IS terrorist carried out an ambush, killing two U.S. soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter.

    The strikes are “part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” U.S. Central Command said, adding that U.S. and coalition forces “remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States.”

    The U.S. Central Command said these strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on December 19 in response to a deadly IS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13.
  • Rwandans visiting national parks increased by more than 6,000 in 2024

    Rwandans visiting national parks increased by more than 6,000 in 2024

    This data comes from the latest Rwanda Statistical Yearbook.

    In 2024, Rwandans accounted for 30% of all visitors to the three main national parks: Akagera, Volcanoes, and Nyungwe.

    By comparison, visits by foreign residents in Rwanda grew more gradually, from 3,142 in 2008 to 8,491 in 2024, representing 6% of total visitors.

    International visitors from abroad continued to dominate, making up 64% of the total (96,271 visitors) in 2024, from 70% (30,151 visitors) in 2008.

    Overall, visits to Rwanda’s national parks have grown dramatically over the past two decades. Total visitors have increased more than sixfold since the mid-2000s, driven by conservation successes, improved infrastructure, and targeted promotion of domestic tourism.

    Akagera National Park has seen particularly strong growth, with visitor numbers rising from 11,239 in 2005, when it attracted 47% of all park visitors to 67,661 in 2024.

    In 2005, Akagera was the most visited park, followed closely by Volcanoes National Park (44%) and Nyungwe National Park (10%).

    Akagera National Park recorded over 56,000 visitors in 2024.
  • IShowSpeed praises Rwanda’s stunning beauty, thrills fans at Amahoro Stadium during Africa Tour

    IShowSpeed praises Rwanda’s stunning beauty, thrills fans at Amahoro Stadium during Africa Tour

    As part of his ongoing visit, the 20-year-old YouTube and Twitch star took part in a motorcycle ride through Kigali, during which he openly expressed his admiration for Rwanda.

    Speaking during a live session with his followers, IShowSpeed described the country as one of the most beautiful places he has ever visited.

    “All my life, I kid you not, this has to be one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to,” he said, pointing to the scenery around him. He added that traveling a few hours outside the city and into the countryside left a lasting impression. “I went into the jungle, and it was just beautiful. The nature here is insane. Rwanda is so beautiful.”

    He went on to tell his fans that he hopes to return for a longer stay, saying he would like to come back “for a week, just for a vacation.”

    Earlier in the day, IShowSpeed visited Volcanoes National Park, where he came face to face with Rwanda’s iconic mountain gorillas. He shared photos and videos of the experience on Snapchat, visibly excited as he observed the primates in their natural habitat.

    The highlight of his evening came at Amahoro Stadium, where he made a dramatic entrance on a motorcycle during a women’s football match between Rayon Sports WFC and Indahangarwa WFC. Thousands of fans erupted in cheers as he dismounted at the center of the stadium, describing Amahoro as “the best stadium in Africa.”

    Handed a microphone, IShowSpeed entertained the crowd by recreating Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous “Siuuu” celebration, dancing to traditional Rwandan music, beating traditional drums, and posing for photos with fans. Many supporters rushed to take selfies with him, while others presented him with gifts, including bracelets and souvenirs.

    Throughout his appearances, the content creator was livestreaming to a massive global audience, with more than 47 million viewers following his activities in real time across his platforms.

    IShowSpeed’s visit to Rwanda is part of his broader project, “Speed Does Africa Tour,” which he launched on December 21, 2025. The tour sees him livestreaming and sharing experiences from different African countries, showcasing culture, people, and tourism to his global audience.

    American internet sensation Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed has thrilled fans during public appearances in Kigali.
    Earlier in the day, IShowSpeed visited Volcanoes National Park, where he came face to face with Rwanda’s iconic mountain gorillas.
    IShowSpeed was also introduced to Rwandan traditional dance in Kigali.
  • Trump wants U.S. to own Greenland to deter Russia and China

    Trump wants U.S. to own Greenland to deter Russia and China

    Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump argued that merely having a military presence on the island under an existing agreement is not enough to guarantee its defense, and that full ownership would strengthen U.S. strategic security in the region.

    Trump noted that the United States already maintains troops in Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, but he said that the U.S. must move beyond defensive arrangements and assume ownership.

    “You defend ownership. You don’t defend leases,” he told journalists, suggesting that without such a move Russia or China could gain influence in Greenland—an outcome he considered unacceptable for U.S. national security.

    Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of about 57,000 people, and it is not part of the United States. Trump suggested several options to make this happen, including potential financial incentives for Greenlanders to consider breaking away from Danish control and joining the United States, although he did not provide specific financial figures.

    The proposal has drawn strong negative reactions from European leaders. Officials from France, Germany, Denmark and other NATO allies issued a joint statement reaffirming that decisions about Greenland’s future belong exclusively to Greenland and Denmark, and warning against foreign interference in the island’s status.

    Leaders in Greenland itself have firmly rejected Trump’s push for U.S. control. A joint statement by political party leaders emphasized that Greenland’s future should be decided by its own people, highlighting concerns about sovereignty and international law. They insisted the island is not for sale and reaffirmed calls for self‑determination without outside pressure.

    Denmark’s prime minister also condemned the idea, warning that any move to take control of Greenland by force would jeopardize the stability of NATO, the transatlantic military alliance that includes both Denmark and the United States as members. Critics have said that a forced takeover would undermine trust between longstanding allies and could weaken broader cooperation on global security issues.

    In response to the escalating controversy, Greenland’s parliament said it will bring forward a meeting specifically to address the situation and discuss how to protect the territory’s rights and future amid external pressure from Washington.

    Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland revives a controversial idea he first floated during his first presidential term, but it comes at a time of heightened global competition in the Arctic, where Russia and China have been increasing their presence.

    U.S. president Donald Trump said on January  9, 2026, that the United States must own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from taking control of the Arctic territory in the future.
  • Rwanda’s consumer prices increase by 8% in December 2025

    Rwanda’s consumer prices increase by 8% in December 2025

    Among the major categories, the food and non-alcoholic beverages group , which carries significant weight in the CPI basket, increased by 3.6% on an annual basis but declined by 0.6% month-on-month.

    Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics rose by 16.7% year-on-year and fell by 0.5% compared to the previous month.

    Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels climbed by 8.4% annually and edged up by 0.3% monthly. The Health category recorded the most dramatic annual surge at 70.8%, while remaining stable month-on-month.

    Transport prices increased by 9.4% year-on-year and by 0.6% month-on-month. Restaurants and hotels saw a substantial 17.4% annual rise, with a modest 0.1% monthly increase.

    The data also highlight differences between product origins and types. Prices of local products rose by 7.3% on an annual basis but decreased by 0.2% month-on-month, while imported products increased by 10.1% annually and by 0.4% monthly.

    Fresh products saw a 3.6% annual increase but dropped by 1.2% compared to November. Energy prices rose by 14% year-on-year and by 0.8% month-on-month while the general index excluding fresh products and energy increased by 8.9% annually and by 0.3% month-on-month.

  • $3.27 billion in investments fueled over 50,000 new jobs in Rwanda in 2024

    $3.27 billion in investments fueled over 50,000 new jobs in Rwanda in 2024

    These figures appear in the Rwanda Statistical Yearbook 2025, which NISR released in late December 2025. The investment statistics were compiled from data sourced from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

    According to the report, both investment inflows and associated job creation showed a generally upward trend between 2017 and 2024, even though the period included several fluctuations. After starting at $1.67 billion in 2017, investment dropped to $1.14 billion in 2018 before recovering to $2.46 billion in 2019.

    The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline to $1.3 billion in 2020. The highest level during the eight-year span came in 2021, when investment peaked at $3.75 billion. It then fell to $1.63 billion in 2022, rose again to $2.47 billion in 2023, and climbed to $3.27 billion in 2024.

    Investment has consistently played a major role in employment generation. In 2017, it supported the creation of 37,548 jobs. The figure decreased to 24,946 jobs in 2018, rebounded to 35,715 in 2019, and then dropped to 24,675 in 2020 due to the pandemic’s effects.

    A strong recovery followed in 2021 with 48,369 jobs created. The highest annual total occurred in 2022, when 57,627 new positions were generated. Job creation eased to 40,198 in 2023 before rising once more to 51,635 in 2024.

    The data clearly shows that investment remains one of the most important drivers of job creation in Rwanda, even when annual investment amounts vary.

    Looking ahead, the Government of Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which covers the years 2024 to 2029, sets an ambitious target of creating at least 250,000 new jobs every year.

    Over the full five-year period, the plan aims to generate a total of 1.25 million new jobs across the country.

    The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) has reported that total investment commitments in Rwanda reached $3.27 billion in 2024, almost double the $1.67 billion recorded in 2017.
  • Border restrictions drive Congolese refugees to perilous crossings back home from Burundi

    Border restrictions drive Congolese refugees to perilous crossings back home from Burundi

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that more than 101,000 Congolese crossed into Burundi in early December 2025 following violent clashes in the Ruzizi Valley.

    When the fighting subsided on December 9, many refugees sought to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the Burundian government rejected their requests. Some were detained, while others were warned they would be relocated to camps far from the border.

    Human rights organizations say the refugees are enduring dire conditions in Burundi, marked by shortages of food, clean water, and access to medical care. Since early December, more than 100 Congolese refugees have reportedly died from hunger and diseases, including cholera linked to poor sanitation.

    The AFC/M23 coalition has urged Burundi to reopen the Gatumba and Vugizo border posts to allow refugees to return home. The government, however, has maintained its refusal despite the worsening humanitarian situation.

    Since last week, some of the refugees living in the temporary Cishemere camp in Cibitoke have started crossing the Ruzizi River after hearing that they would be moved to camps further from the border.

    According to the SOS Media, the decision to cross the river was risky, with two refugees tragically drowning. Their belongings, found on January 2, were badly damaged.

    Despite the risks, some refugees have managed to cross the river with help from Burundian residents.

    Their life back home, however, is drastically different from the one they are enduring in the camps.

    A returnee in Luvungi shared, “After all I went through in the temporary camp, I didn’t want to stay there anymore. Some Burundians helped me cross the Ruzizi River. Today, I am living a normal life in Luvungi.”

    Some Congolese refugees resorted to bribing Burundian soldiers, police officers, and members of the Imbonerakure militia to gain permission to cross the border and reunite with their families.

    A refugee from Sange in South Kivu said, “I was with my wife and our eight children. They asked for 300,000 Burundian francs. I had to give them three of our goats to allow us to cross.”

    Many refugees remain stranded, unable to return due to fear of drowning in the Ruzizi River or lack of money to pay bribes. They continue to appeal to the Burundian government to open border routes and allow them to return to their homeland.

    Border restrictions has driven Congolese refugees to perilous crossings back home from Burundi
  • Tensions rise between North and South Korea over drone incursions

    Tensions rise between North and South Korea over drone incursions

    The accusation was made in an official statement carried by North Korean state media, reflecting growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

    According to the North Korean military, its forces used special electronic warfare assets to bring down a South Korean drone flying over a border town on Sunday.

    North Korea claims the unmanned aircraft was equipped with two cameras that filmed unspecified areas inside the North, which Pyongyang considers a direct violation of its sovereignty.

    South Korea’s Defense Ministry quickly rejected the allegation, saying it did not operate drones on the dates cited by North Korea.

    South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a thorough investigation into the North’s claims.

    The dispute comes as South Korea’s liberal government under President Lee seeks to restore diplomatic ties with the North, a goal that has been hampered by repeated military provocations and distrust.

    North Korea has largely refused talks with Seoul and the United States since high‑stakes nuclear diplomacy collapsed in 2019 amid disagreements over international sanctions.

    Drone flights have been a recurring source of friction between the Koreas. Both sides have previously accused each other of airspace violations involving unmanned aerial vehicles in recent years, contributing to long‑standing security pressures along the border.