By Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba also First Son, recently announced that his father President Yoweri Museveni agreed to deport the German Ambassador to Uganda, Mathias Schauer. According to Muhoozi, this decision marks a turning point in the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Uganda and Germany.
History
The rift began 7 weeks ago when Muhoozi publicly criticized Ambassador Schauer, accusing him of misconduct and claiming he felt personally disrespected. He even made remarks about the ambassador’s appearance, further escalating the tension. In a separate statement, Muhoozi stated he would not apologize for his words or actions. The European diplomats raised concerns to Ugandan authorities over undiplomatic statements that were issued by Muhoozi. During the meeting with Gen Salim Saleh, also Muhoozi ‘s uncle in Gulu, the EU diplomats warned that Muhoozi’s statements could damage Uganda’s international image and affect trade and investment. This happened days after Gen Muhoozi posted threats on social media, following a visit by EU officials to the main opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) offices in Kampala on May 15. The army chief wrote on X:
“This is an Abomination! @EUinUG is really playing with fire. Sawa! We have MARKED all of them especially the one shaking Kabobi’s hand.” The situation worsened in May this year, when the. Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) announced the immediate suspension of all defence and military cooperation activities with the Federal Republic of Germany, citing what it describes as credible intelligence linking Ambassador Schauer to subversive operations in Uganda.
According to the then acting Director of Defence Public Information, the UPDF Col. Chris Magezi, the suspension was to remain in effect until the matter is fully resolved. Even though the UPDF did not present evidence to substantiate the allegations, the tone and substance of the claims mark an unprecedented escalation in Uganda’s public discourse on foreign interference. Col. Magezi added that the decision was in response to credible intelligence reports that Ambassador Schauer actively engaged in subversive activities in the country.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has with immediate effect suspended all ongoing defence and military cooperation activities with the Federal Republic of Germany,” said Magezi. “The suspension will remain in force until the full resolution of the matter of the ambassador’s involvement with hostile pseudo-political-military forces operating in the country against the Ugandan government,” Magezi said.
Ugandan’s army publicly accused Ambassador Schauer of engaging in activities that violate diplomatic norms. The statement that was issued by the UPDF alleged that several individuals linked to emerging rebel cells had been arrested in recent months for plotting acts of sabotage and rebellion.
The suspects are said to have targeted public infrastructure—including the electricity grid—in central Uganda, and some were reportedly affiliated with the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party. The German Foreign Ministry on Monday dismissed Uganda’s accusations that Berlin’s ambassador was involved in illicit meddling in the East African country’s affairs. A ministry spokesperson said that Berlin “strongly condemned” the allegations, describing them as “absurd” and “baseless.”
The protest
On 13th June 2025, supporters of Gen Muhoozi staged a demonstration at the German Embassy in Kololo, accusing Ambassador Schauer of engaging in “subversive activities.” Wearing Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) branded T-shirts emblazoned with Muhoozi’s image, the group, led by PLU director of mobilization Michael Mawanda, marched from the PLU offices to the embassy premises along Philip Drive in Kololo.
“We responded to the call of our chairman [Muhoozi], because whoever touches the security of this country touches him. Their target is to discredit our chairman, and we shall not allow that,” one of the protestors said. However, Uganda’s police blocked PLU protesters from accessing the German Embassy in Kampala.
After the visit by the EU diplomats to Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine’s office, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political movement led by Gen Muhoozi, announced a protest at the German Embassy scheduled for June 5.
The PLU cited the ambassador’s “undiplomatic conduct” as the basis for the demonstration, further fuelling the diplomatic fallout. Uganda’s security agencies warned that foreign-backed subversive cells are targeting urban youth for radicalisation, particularly in the slum areas of Kampala. The UPDF urged young Ugandans to reject such overtures and instead embrace government development initiatives.
Vengeance
Uganda’s CDF once again sparked major controversy—this time on the international stage, when he announced that his father “Mzee” Museveni agreed to deport Germany’s ambassador to Uganda. This followed ambassador Schauer posting unsavoury comments about the CDF on X, formerly Twitter. Since then, General Muhoozi, has been advocating for his deportation. “Mzee has accepted to DEPORT this disastrous German Ambassador. Uganda deserves better!” Muhoozi said.
The recent announcement marks a rare and dramatic diplomatic fallout in East Africa. Analysts suggest that the public nature of the announcement—coming directly from the CDF—indicates how much influence he now holds in both political and military circles in Uganda. His direct tone, often emotional and unfiltered, continues to shape Uganda’s foreign relations in controversial ways.
The German Embassy in Kampala has not made any official response to the deportation claims. Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also remains silent on the issue, although inside sources say that plans for Ambassador Schauer’s departure are already in motion.
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