Espionage: Stephen Nuwagaba and the Rwanda Connection

Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, former Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), alongside Stephen Nuwagaba and President Museveni.

An explosive espionage scandal in Uganda has exposed a high-level network centered on Stephen Nuwagaba—a suspected Rwandan operative allegedly introduced to President Museveni by recently dismissed military commander Maj. Gen. David Mugisha—triggering state surveillance and high-stakes diplomatic fallout between Kampala and Kigali.

The story of Stephen Nuwagaba continues to generate headlines, sparking intense discussions and speculation across Uganda's political landscape. Initially reported by The Independent magazine, the narrative took a twist in the article “The President’s Man,” which claimed that Nuwagaba was introduced introduced to President Yoweri Museveni by Gen. Abel Kandiho, the former head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence. Following Kandiho's threat of legal action for defamation, the magazine retracted its statement, attributing the introduction instead to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa. Tayebwa promptly tweeted to deny any involvement, stating that he never took Nuwagaba to the president.

Andrew Mwenda, is engaged in a deliberate cover-up, attempting to shield Rwanda from scrutiny in this unfolding drama. Sources allege that Mwenda knows the true circumstances surrounding Nuwagaba's entry into State House but is working to manage the narrative. Reliable information indicates that Nuwagaba’s actual introduction to President Museveni was facilitated by Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, widely known as Bidi, the recently dismissed commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC). This connection raises further questions about the motivations behind Nuwagaba's rise. Adding another layer of complexity is Prophet TJ Collins, leader of Epikaizo Ministries International, who is widely believed to have ties to Rwandan intelligence. Collins is believed to work closely with Gen. Bidi and assist Nuwagaba in espionage activities for the Rwandan government. His church has reportedly become a platform for disseminating sensitive intelligence, with Collins seen on social media praying for Bidi in various videos.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently welcomed Prophet TJ Collins to State House in Entebbe.

Nuwagaba himself has raised eyebrows due to inconsistencies in his identity documentation. He has multiple records showing different names for his father, including Rubaramira James and the deceased Katengera James. Speculation persists that Nuwagaba may actually be of Rwandan origin, contrary to his claims of being Munyankore, and was allegedly recruited into Rwandan espionage while working in Qatar in 2022. In a troubling twist, Collins is known to have used intelligence reports from his contacts intelligence agencies as sermon material in his church, even being the first to announce the First Lady's illness. As news of Maj. Gen. Bidi’s imminent sacking start to circulate , Collins reportedly rushed to meet with President Museveni to advise him against listening to alleged misinformation about Bidi. President Museveni's modus operandi often involves leveraging one issue to address another, and Nuwagaba's situation appears to be no different. After receiving intelligence reports about Nuwagaba, Museveni deployed operatives from the Internal Security Organization (ISO) to monitor Nuwagaba's activities and his interactions with Rwandan officials. Notably, Nuwagaba's claims of torture have been met with skepticism, with many believing they were fabricated to support his espionage agenda. Insiders suggest that these allegations may be part of a broader strategy to manipulate public perception. The implications of Nuwagaba's story stretch far and wide, with even Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba's recent visit to Kigali reportedly linked to this intricate web of espionage and political intrigue. As investigations continue, the full scope of Nuwagaba’s involvement and the ramifications for those engaged in this unfolding drama remain uncertain, but the stakes are undeniably high.