Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has suspended all ongoing defence and military cooperation activities with the Federal Republic of Germany, citing “credible intelligence” implicating the German Ambassador, H.E. Mathias Schauer, in subversive activities.
The abrupt decision, announced on Sunday, follows what military intelligence sources described as ongoing engagements by the German envoy (who has served in Uganda since July 25, 2020), with pseudo-political-military actors allegedly seeking to destabilize Uganda.
“The decision is in response to credible intelligence reports that the current German Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer, is actively engaged in subversive activities in the country,” stated Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information.
“The suspension will remain in force until full resolution of the matter of the Ambassador’s involvement with hostile pseudo-political-military forces operating in the country against the Ugandan government.”
Although the UPDF did not disclose further operational specifics, sources within security circles say surveillance and counterintelligence teams have for months been monitoring interactions linked to diplomatic circles accused of meddling in Uganda’s internal political and military affairs.
The move signals a serious deterioration in relations between Kampala and Berlin, particularly in defence-related collaboration that had seen joint training programs, logistics assistance, and strategic advisory missions involving the Bundeswehr and the UPDF.
The decision to freeze engagements, analysts say, underscores Uganda’s growing unease over Western diplomatic overtures perceived to back opposition-aligned formations.
The announcement also comes amid heightened scrutiny of European envoys following publicised friction with the Ugandan government over governance, human rights, and political freedoms.
Uganda has previously warned foreign missions against crossing the red line into what it terms “internal security affairs,” and today’s announcement by UPDF signals a hardening of that stance.
Efforts to get a comment from the German Embassy in Kampala were fruitless by press time, though sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a formal diplomatic communication is expected to be issued through official channels.
Security operatives have reportedly increased monitoring of foreign-funded activities that intersect with youth mobilization, civic activism, and unofficial military training exercises, some of which government operatives believe are backed by external handlers.
This is the first such public suspension of bilateral military cooperation with a European country under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration since the 2000s. It also follows a broader continental pattern where African states are increasingly asserting their sovereignty in the face of perceived foreign interference.
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