Diplomatic crisis: Uganda stops cooperation with Germany because of ambassadors!

Diplomatic crisis: Uganda stops cooperation with Germany because of ambassadors!

Kampala, Uganda - On June 7, 2025, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) suspended the defense and military cooperation with Germany. This is followed by serious allegations against the German ambassador in Uganda, S.E. Matthias Schauer. Ugandian security authorities accuse him of being involved in subversive activities, which could further tighten the diplomatic tensions between Kampala and western countries before the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2026. According to our-mitteleuropa.com throw up the UPDF and the inter-agency security committee to be involved in "illegal and secret" practices.

Colonel Chris Magezi expressed concerns about the undiplomatic actions of Schauer, which would violate the Viennese diplomatic convention of 1961. The allegations were followed by a protest note of Schauer’s Salim Saleh, in which he expressed threatening statements by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The latter had indicated on the platform X (formerly Twitter) to "postpone" ambassadors, and criticized the EU due to a visit to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.

suspension of military cooperation

The UPDF announced the suspension of all ongoing military activities with Germany on May 25, 2025. This decision is interpreted as a serious deterioration in relationships between Kampala and Berlin, especially in military cooperation. Previous cooperation included joint training programs and strategic consulting missions. Schauer has been working in Uganda since July 25, 2020. Military sources of intelligence report that Schauer was in contact with "pseudo-political-military actors" who are supposed to try to destabilize the country, according to the dailyexpress.co.ug .

Colonel Magezi made it clear that the suspension of the military cooperation will remain into force until the ambassador situation is completely clarified. It is currently being observed that foreign messages are examined by security authorities, especially those that are associated with opposition forces. The UPDF has not announced any further details about its operational decisions.

growing tensions and possible consequences

Analyzes indicate that this decision is also an expression of Uganda's increasing discomfort compared to Western influence, especially when it comes to support for opposition groups. Uganda had previously warned foreign missions to interfere in internal security issues, a signal that is reinforced by this current development. The afrika-live.de reports of similar movements in other African states that rethink their foreign policy alliances and their sovereignty towards perceived foreign interference emphasize.

In this context, the refusal of the German message to comment on the allegations is remarkable. So far, the German Federal Government has not issued a public statement on the suspension and the serious allegations. This situation could have far -reaching consequences for bilateral relationships between Uganda and Germany, including economic help and diplomatic contacts.