By Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda People’s Defence 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 German Ambassador Matthias Schauer to subversive operations in Uganda. The acting Director of Defence Public Information, the UPDF Col. Chris Magezi. issued a statement clarifying that the suspension would remain in effect until the matter is fully resolved.
Although 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.
Allegations
According to Col. Magezi, the decision is in response to credible intelligence reports that German Ambassador to Uganda Mathias Schauer is 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.
Colonel Magezi said the rebel-linked groups had been operating in key districts including Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mpigi, and the greater Masaka region. Some suspects have since been charged in courts of law and are awaiting trial. However, the most contentious part of the military’s recent announcements concerns Ambassador Schauer, who has been directly accused of aiding these shadowy operations. “We are particularly concerned about the illegal and clandestine activities of the German Ambassador in Uganda,” Magezi said, claiming that Schauer’s actions breached the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The UPDF’s decision marked a dramatic escalation in an already tense standoff between Ugandan authorities and Western diplomatic missions. Ambassador Schauer has in recent days faced growing scrutiny, with Ugandan intelligence agencies accusing him of interfering in domestic political affairs and maintaining contact with groups opposed to the ruling government.
Relation escalation
Recently the European diplomats raised concerns to Ugandan authorities over undiplomatic statements that were issued by Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces also first Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba. During the meeting with Gen Salim Saleh in Gulu, the EU diplomats warned that Muhoozi’s statements could damage Uganda’s international image and affect trade and investment. The engagement came 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.” Gen Muhoozi also posted a series of messages on X (formerly Twitter), including one in which he claimed he had the power to expel any ambassador from Uganda.
EU accused of undiplomatic actions
After the visit by the EU diplomats to 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.
The EU defender
However, Bobi Wine strongly disputed the government’s narrative. He described the accusations as a retaliatory ploy by the regime to divert attention from its worsening human rights record. “During a meeting this Wednesday in Gulu, between the European Union Delegation and Gen. Salim Saleh, the German Ambassador to Uganda and other ambassadors expressed deep concern about the inflammatory social media posts made by Museveni’s brutal son—often followed by actions,” Kyagulanyi said. He was referring to recent public threats made by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Museveni’s son, toward EU diplomats who visited the NUP headquarters. “Just hours after the Gulu meeting, the regime has retaliated, now ridiculously accusing Ambassador Schauer of sponsoring unidentified rebel groups to overthrow it!” Kyagulanyi added. He accused the government of recycling a familiar script of manufacturing rebellion claims to silence critics. “It is the same script the regime uses to rationalise the abduction, torture, and disappearance of our comrades by falsely accusing them of being criminals,” he said.
Suspended security cooperations
Defence cooperation between Uganda and Germany has in the past included training programs, logistical support, and joint operations on peacekeeping and counterterrorism. The German Embassy in Kampala has not yet responded to the allegations. The European Union and other diplomatic missions cited in Kyagulanyi’s statement are also yet to issue formal responses.
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