Kampala, Uganda: Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, Saturday strongly condemned what he termed as a “retaliatory attack” by the UPDF against the German Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Matthias Schauer, following concerns raised by European envoys over the country’s worsening human rights record.
In a lengthy statement posted May 24, 2025, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president revealed that the German ambassador and his European Union counterparts had met General Salim Saleh earlier in the week where they reportedly expressed unease over inflammatory remarks made by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Museveni.
“During a meeting this Wednesday in Gulu, between the European Union Delegation and Gen. Salim Saleh… the German Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Matthias Schauer and other ambassadors expressed deep concern about the inflammatory social media posts made by Museveni’s brutal son, often followed by actions,” Bobi Wine wrote.
The comments, according to the 2021 Presidential contender, referenced Gen. Muhoozi’s recent threats on social media allegedly directed at EU ambassadors during a prior visit to the NUP headquarters.
Just hours after the Gulu meeting, the UPDF issued a statement accusing Ambassador Schauer of allegedly financing rebel groups to destabilize the country. The May 23rd Press Release detailed that security and intelligence agencies had arrested several suspects linked to organized armed rebellion, plots to bomb populated areas, and acts of economic sabotage, including the vandalism of electricity infrastructure in central Uganda.
Among the districts named as worst affected by these acts were Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mityana, Mubende, Mpigi, and the greater Masaka region.
The UPDF further claimed that some of the arrested individuals had previously posed as political activists, particularly from the National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party.
But the most explosive revelation came with allegations leveled against Ambassador Mathias Schauer, whom the UPDF accuses of breaching international diplomatic protocols by offering clandestine support to rebel elements allegedly trying to destabilize Uganda.
“He [Schauer] has broken international laws and is operating in ways that contravene his diplomatic responsibilities,” said acting Defence spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi.
Barely a day later, Bobi Wine responded Saturday to the UPDF statement, dismissing the accusations as “ridiculous,” saying they form part of a broader regime narrative aimed at deflecting scrutiny.
“Just hours after the Gulu meeting, the regime has retaliated, now ridiculously accusing Ambassador Schauer of sponsoring unidentified rebel groups to overthrow it! What more? They have stated that most of those so-called rebels are supporters of NUP!” he wrote.
He further alleged that such claims are routinely used by the regime to justify its clampdown on opposition activists and to distract the public from calls for accountability.
“This is an all-too-familiar script by the regime: manufacturing ‘threats’ to shield itself from accountability and justify its relentless violent persecution of whoever demands an end to its dictatorship and corruption,” the NUP leader added.
He also accused the government of weaponizing false accusations to justify abductions, torture, and disappearances of opposition supporters, saying the pattern is designed to “silence and intimidate” dissenters.
“We hope that the world can recognize these tactics for what they truly are and continue holding the regime accountable for its transgressions against the people of Uganda and humanity as a whole,” he urged.
Bobi Wine concluded by asserting that Ugandans remain determined in their pursuit of democratic change: “The well-meaning people of Uganda will not be cowed into silence, but will continue pursuing all lawful means to put an end to the regime of blood and shame.”
But the UPDF on Friday insisted its accusations against the Ambassador are not without basis.
Col Magezi said they have established an Inter-Agency Security Committee, chaired by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and top bosses from the Uganda Police Force, Prisons Services, and intelligence bodies, to disrupt subversive cells that allegedly recruit youth into rebellion, particularly within Kampala’s ghetto communities.
The committee, Magezi said, is determined to take “firm action” against what it terms as ringleaders, funders, and coordinators of rebellion, which they claim are part of a larger scheme to disrupt the 2026 general elections.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative anews platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp for realtime updates.
