Uganda’s military has announced the immediate termination of all military cooperation with Germany, citing allegations that Berlin’s ambassador in Kampala has engaged in subversive activities within the East African nation.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi said, “The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has with immediate effect suspended all ongoing defence and military cooperation activities with the Federal Republic of Germany.” Magezi stated that the decision was based on credible intelligence that the current German ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer, was actively involved in subversive activities in the country. However, no specific details were provided regarding these activities or the nature of existing military collaboration between the two nations.
Germany’s embassy in Kampala did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Uganda contributes troops to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which receives partial funding from the European Union, of which Germany is a member.
Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also commented on the situation via X on Sunday, clarifying that the military’s issues were personal to Schauer. “It has to do with him as a person. He is wholly unqualified to be in Uganda. It has nothing to do with the great German people,” said Kainerugaba.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for Uganda’s ministry of foreign affairs were unsuccessful as her phone was switched off.
Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni and widely regarded as his potential successor, is known for his provocative statements on social media, including threats to Western diplomats based in Kampala. Earlier this month, he warned the European Union was “playing with fire” after a group of EU ambassadors met with Uganda’s main opposition party, led by pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine.
