Uganda’s military, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has announced the suspension of all military cooperation with Germany, citing “credible intelligence reports” that Germany’s ambassador to Kampala, Mathias Schauer, is “actively engaged in subversive activities” within the country.
UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi announced the decision in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, though he provided no specific details regarding the nature of the alleged subversive activities or existing military cooperation between the two nations. The German Foreign Ministry, in a press conference on Monday, dismissed the accusations as “absurd and without any merit,” and declined to comment further. A German spokesperson also stated that there was no formalized military cooperation between the two countries.
While Magezi did not elaborate on specific military cooperation, Uganda contributes troops to the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia (AUSOM), which receives partial funding from the European Union, of which Germany is a member.
Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also posted on X on Sunday, stating that the issue was personal to Ambassador Schauer and did not reflect on the “great German people.”
Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni and widely considered his potential successor, is known for his controversial social media posts, including previous threats directed at Western diplomats in Kampala. Earlier this month, he criticized the EU for “playing with fire” after EU ambassadors met with officials from Uganda’s leading opposition party, including its leader Bobi Wine.
The suspension comes amid a backdrop of arrests of opposition politicians and supporters in Uganda, accused of involvement in subversive activities. Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye is currently facing treason charges. Security agencies have issued warnings to opposition politicians against creating unrest as the country prepares for general elections scheduled for early next year. The opposition has condemned the arrests, claiming they are based on fabricated charges.
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