Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has confirmed the arrest of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Chief of Communications and IT (CCIT) for allegedly accepting a $300,000 bribe from a Southern African Development Community (SADC) country to monitor army communications.
The senior officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was accused of compromising national security by granting foreign entities access to sensitive military information. However, reports indicate that after being caught, the officer refunded the full amount to the UPDF.
Gen. Muhoozi, known for his tough stance on military discipline, confirmed the arrest and emphasized that the UPDF would not tolerate acts of espionage within its ranks.
The revelation happens at a time when Uganda’s military is actively engaged in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where SADC forces have also been deployed. This raises concerns over possible intelligence leaks that could compromise Uganda’s operations in the region.
Security analysts suggest that this incident could further strain Uganda’s diplomatic relations with SADC member states, particularly those involved in the DRC conflict.
Some people also believe that the quick refund of the money raises questions about the full extent of the espionage and whether deeper networks of intelligence leaks exist within the Ugandan military.
Even as investigations continue, the UPDF is expected to take further action to safeguard its operations and maintain national security amid growing regional tensions.
