Kampala, Uganda: The Ugandan Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA)Friday accused the German Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mathias Schauer, of engaging in “illegal and clandestine activities” that support negative and traitorous groups opposed to the ruling NRM government.
In a strongly worded statement dated May 23, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) revealed that intelligence agencies have been monitoring and documenting what they called “clearly undiplomatic practices” by the envoy contrary to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“We are particularly concerned about the illegal and clandestine activities of the German Ambassador in Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer. The intelligence services are aware about his clearly undiplomatic practices that have been taking place in different parts of the country for some time now, and which go against the spirit of the 1961 Vienna Diplomatic Conventions that regulate cordial relations between states,” the statement signed by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, read on Friday.
The UPDF said it is engaging the concerned foreign mission “through the relevant diplomatic channels to address the disturbing development.”
Col Magezi also confirmed the arrest and interrogation of several suspects with ties to organised armed rebellion, economic sabotage, and plans to attack public spaces. These suspects, according to the Ugandan army, are linked to cells being monitored across central Uganda, including in districts such as Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi, Kayunga, Luweero, Kiboga, Nakasongola, and the greater Masaka region.
“Some of the arrested suspects previously passed off as opposition political party activists, especially of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party,” Col Magezi emphasized.
He added that the Inter-Agency Security Committee, chaired by the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, is currently coordinating with the Uganda Police Force, Prisons Services, and Intelligence Organisations to “infiltrate and burst terrorist and subversive cells that are actively luring unsuspecting youths into rebel activities in and around the greater Kampala metropolitan ghetto communities.”
“The security committee in its most recent sitting resolved to take firm action against the ring leaders, the organisers and the funders of rebel activities which are in part designed to disrupt the upcoming general elections early next year,” said Col. Magezi.
The UPDF also condemned what it called foreign influence and warned that “the local treacherous lot and agents of foreign manipulation in the politics and security of our country will continue to be identified, isolated, and dealt with firmly in accordance with the laws of the land.”
The Defence Ministry’s remarks come in the wake of a recent visit by a European Union delegation to the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters, where opposition leaders urged the EU mission in Uganda to exert pressure on the ruling NRM government over what they described as a deteriorating human rights situation under the command of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son to President Museveni.
The EU delegation’s engagement appeared to draw sharp backlash from Gen Muhoozi, who posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account describing the visit as “an abomination” and warning the EU was “playing with fire.”
Gen Muhoozi, 51, has frequently used his social media platform to issue threats, including boasts of torturing opposition supporters and vows to decapitate opposition figures like NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, and former FDC leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has been in detention since November 2024.
On May 21, the EU delegation also held talks with Gen Salim Saleh, President Museveni’s younger brother and coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, where they reportedly raised concerns about Gen Muhoozi’s inflammatory social media outbursts.
The UPDF, in its Friday statement, fired warning shots to the youth not to fall prey to political manipulation and promised to continue promoting government-backed wealth creation and youth development programs.
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