On May 25, 2025, Uganda abruptly halted all military cooperation with Germany, a decision announced by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles. The UPDF, through its acting spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi, cited allegations of “subversive activities” by Germany’s ambassador to Uganda, Matthias Schauer, as the reason for the immediate suspension of defence ties.
This unprecedented move marks one of the most serious rifts in recent memory between Uganda and a European partner, threatening a relationship long described by Germany’s embassy as rooted in “stability and trust.” The decision, detailed in a statement posted on X, follows weeks of escalating tensions fueled by European diplomats’ criticism of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the head of the UPDF and son of President Yoweri Museveni.
The UPDF’s accusations against Schauer, who has served as Germany’s ambassador since July 2020, are tied to claims that he engaged in actions undermining Uganda’s government. Colonel Magezi’s statement referenced “credible intelligence reports” suggesting Schauer’s involvement with “pseudo political-military forces” opposing the Museveni administration, though no specific evidence was provided. Earlier, the UPDF had accused several European embassies of supporting “negative and traitorous groups,” but Schauer was singled out as a primary actor. General Kainerugaba, in a separate X post, personalised the dispute, stating, “We are having some issues with the current German ambassador to Uganda. It has to do with him as a person. He is wholly unqualified to be in Uganda. It has nothing to do with the great German people. Whom I admire a lot.” This distinction between Schauer and the German nation reflects an attempt to frame the issue as individual misconduct rather than a broader bilateral conflict.
The catalyst for this fallout appears to be a closed-door meeting held three weeks prior in Gulu, where European diplomats, including Schauer, met with General Salim Saleh, President Museveni’s brother and a senior military advisor. Local media reported that Schauer raised concerns about Kainerugaba’s inflammatory social media activity, warning that the general’s posts were causing “reputational damage” to Uganda. Kainerugaba, widely seen as Museveni’s likely successor, has garnered attention for his provocative online presence. He has frequently targeted opposition figures, including boasting of kidnapping and torturing the bodyguard of Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP). In one recent post, Kainerugaba threatened to behead Wine himself, drawing widespread condemnation from rights groups and diplomats alike. Saleh reportedly vowed to “rein in” his nephew during the Gulu meeting, but the public airing of these criticisms appears to have provoked a fierce backlash from the UPDF.
This diplomatic spat comes at a tense moment for Uganda, as the country approaches its January 2026 general elections. President Museveni, who has held power since 1986, is expected to seek another term, extending his 40-year rule. Rights groups have reported an intensified crackdown on opposition supporters, particularly those aligned with the NUP, in the lead-up to the polls. The arrest of veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye on treason charges in November 2024, alongside abductions and detentions of NUP members, has fueled accusations of a militarised clampdown. Kainerugaba’s social media tirades, including threats against Western diplomats and claims of detaining opposition figures, have added to the perception of a government tightening its grip. The UPDF’s recent passage of the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025, which reinstates military trials for civilians despite a prior Supreme Court ban, further signals a hardening stance against dissent.
Germany’s embassy has yet to issue a public response to the allegations, but the German Foreign Ministry dismissed them as “absurd” and without basis on May 26, 2025. Berlin’s spokesperson, Kathrin Deschauer, emphasised Germany’s rejection of the claims, though no formal military cooperation programs were detailed, suggesting limited direct ties in this sphere. Uganda’s contribution to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), partially funded by the European Union, of which Germany is a key member, adds a layer of complexity. While the suspension’s immediate impact on Uganda’s regional operations remains unclear, it could strain broader EU-Uganda relations, particularly given the EU’s vocal concerns about Uganda’s human rights record. Earlier in May, EU envoy Jan Sadek decried the “alarming militarisation of the political sphere” and called for protections of civil liberties, remarks that prompted Kainerugaba to warn the EU against “playing with fire.”
The accusations against Schauer are not isolated but part of a broader narrative pushed by the UPDF. On May 21, 2025, Colonel Magezi alleged that European embassies were funding opposition groups targeting Uganda’s infrastructure, a claim echoed after EU diplomats visited NUP headquarters to discuss human rights abuses. Bobi Wine condemned the UPDF’s actions as a “ridiculous” attempt to criminalise dissent, accusing the government of manufacturing threats to justify repression. Uganda’s UN ambassador, Adonia Ayebare, called the Gulu meeting a “fiasco,” criticising the presence of the press during what was intended as a private exchange. The leaked footage of Schauer’s remarks, which went viral online, has heightened internal tensions, with some in Uganda’s military circles viewing it as a violation of diplomatic norms under the 1961 Vienna Convention.
Germany and Uganda have maintained a stable partnership for decades, with bilateral trade reaching $335 million in 2024, primarily driven by Uganda’s imports of German machinery and chemical products. Germany has supported Uganda’s military through training, crisis response, and medical exchanges, as well as indirectly via EU-funded peacekeeping efforts. The suspension of these ties, announced without detailed evidence, raises questions about its practical consequences. The UPDF’s statement indicates the suspension will persist until Schauer’s alleged activities are resolved, suggesting a prolonged standoff unless diplomatic channels de-escalate the situation.
Kainerugaba’s central role in this dispute cannot be overlooked. As Museveni’s son and head of the UPDF, he wields considerable influence, both militarily and politically. His leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political group tied to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), and his earlier presidential ambitions have fueled speculation about his succession plans. His provocative rhetoric, including threats against opposition figures like Wine and his security chief, Edward Ssebufu, has drawn international scrutiny. The PLU’s call for a demonstration at the German embassy on June 5, 2025, hints at further escalation, potentially mobilising public sentiment against perceived foreign interference.
For Uganda, this move signals a broader pushback against Western criticism as the 2026 elections loom. The government’s sensitivity to external commentary, particularly on Kainerugaba’s behaviour, reflects the delicate balance of maintaining power amid domestic and international pressures. For Germany, the accusations pose a challenge to its diplomatic engagement in Africa, where it has sought to promote stability and economic ties. The absence of concrete evidence against Schauer, coupled with Germany’s swift dismissal of the claims, suggests a diplomatic resolution may be elusive in the short term.
Menwhile, Uganda is pursuing a stronger defence ties with Russia, which started with a pledge made at the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit to establish the country as a regional hub for the maintenance of previously delivered military equipment and the production of modern small arms, reflect the nation’s strategic goal of bolstering its defense capabilities and regional influence.
A large Russian military delegation visited Uganda, where it met with the head of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) on August 22. The delegation, sent by Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, was tasked with “strengthening ties between the countries’ armed forces”, the UPDF said.
The visit follows Ugandan army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s trip to Moscow. The African country’s Special Forces Command also held meetings with senior Russian military officials recently, according to the UPDF.
