Uganda has announced the immediate suspension of all military cooperation with Germany, citing accusations that the German ambassador is involved in activities deemed subversive by Kampala.
Army spokesperson Chris Magezi said in a statement on Sunday, May 25, that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had frozen all ongoing defence and military engagements with Berlin due to “credible intelligence” suggesting that Ambassador Mathias Schauer was actively supporting hostile elements operating against the Ugandan government.
Magezi stated the suspension would remain in effect “until the full resolution of the matter of the ambassador’s involvement with hostile pseudo-political-military forces.”
No further details were disclosed, but Magezi confirmed the decision in comments to AFP.
The development follows a previous UPDF statement issued on Friday, which accused certain European diplomatic missions of backing “negative and traitorous groups.” Ambassador Schauer was specifically named.
The German embassy in Kampala has not publicly responded to the claims.
The diplomatic fallout comes at a time of growing global criticism over Uganda’s intensifying crackdown on opposition figures, particularly ahead of presidential elections scheduled in seven months. Human rights organisations have expressed concern about escalating repression.
Uganda’s first son and top military official, Muhoozi Kainerugaba — widely seen as a potential successor to President Yoweri Museveni — has repeatedly issued threats against political opponents.
In a recent online post, he boasted of abducting and torturing the bodyguard of a key opposition figure.
Reports have emerged that Ambassador Schauer recently attended a meeting with President Museveni’s brother, during which he reportedly criticised Kainerugaba’s provocative social media activity.
The extent to which the suspension of military ties will affect bilateral relations remains unclear. Germany and Uganda have traditionally maintained strong ties, with the German embassy describing the relationship as one of “stability and trust.” Schauer has served as ambassador since 2020.
Trade between the two nations reached an estimated $335 million last year, with Uganda primarily importing German machinery and chemical goods.
