By Our Reporter
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the immediate suspension of all military and defence cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, citing credible intelligence alleging the involvement of German Ambassador Matthias Schauer in subversive activities within the country.
The announcement was made on Sunday in an official statement by Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, who emphasized that the suspension would remain in effect pending a full resolution of the matter.
“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,” Magezi stated.
According to the UPDF, Ambassador Schauer is allegedly linked to hostile pseudo political-military groups that operate against the Ugandan government. These allegations, while not yet independently verified, mark a serious escalation in diplomatic tensions between Uganda and one of its longstanding European partners.
Diplomatic Fallout Intensifies
The German Embassy in Kampala has not yet issued a response to the allegations. However, the move has stirred international attention, given the strategic defence collaboration that has historically existed between Uganda and Germany. This includes joint training missions, logistical support, and coordination in regional peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts.
Tensions between Ugandan authorities and Western diplomatic missions have been simmering in recent weeks, with Ambassador Schauer reportedly coming under scrutiny for alleged interference in Uganda’s internal affairs.
Just hours prior to the UPDF’s announcement, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU)—a political movement led by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba—declared plans to stage a protest at the German Embassy in Kampala on June 5. The group accused the ambassador of “undiplomatic conduct,” further heightening the diplomatic rift.
Political Undertones
The diplomatic standoff has been compounded by a series of posts on social media by Gen. Muhoozi, who recently asserted that he had the authority to expel ambassadors from Uganda. According to sources, these remarks were met with concern by the German envoy, who is said to have raised the matter with senior Ugandan officials, including Gen. Salim Saleh.
While the full scope of the allegations against Ambassador Schauer remains unclear, the UPDF’s decision signals a hardening of Uganda’s posture toward perceived foreign interference, particularly from European diplomatic actors.
It remains to be seen how Berlin will respond to the suspension or the accusations leveled against its top diplomat in Uganda. Analysts suggest that the incident could strain Uganda-Germany relations further unless addressed through high-level diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, the UPDF maintains that the suspension is a matter of national security and will only be lifted once the issue is thoroughly resolved.
