KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, escalating tensions between Kampala and Ankara barely a day after President Yoweri Museveni met the Turkish Ambassador to Uganda.

In a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF, said the suspension takes immediate effect.

“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has with immediate effect suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye,” Magezi said.

He added that the measure would remain in force “until outstanding issues of mutual defence and military cooperation between the two countries are resolved.”

The statement did not specify the outstanding issues behind the decision or indicate whether the suspension affects particular agreements, military training, defence procurement, intelligence cooperation or other areas of bilateral security engagement.

The announcement comes amid a growing public dispute involving Türkiye, Uganda’s military leadership and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).

Museveni Met Turkish Envoy Hours Before Suspension

On Friday, President Museveni met Türkiye’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mehmet Fatih Ak, on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampala Storage Terminal in Mpigi District.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune and Uganda’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Leodand Mugerwa.

State House released photographs of the engagement but did not disclose details of what was discussed, describing the talks as covering matters of bilateral interest.

The meeting’s timing has attracted attention following Saturday’s UPDF announcement. Analysts may view the suspension as part of the issues requiring diplomatic attention, although there is no official confirmation that the President and Turkish ambassador discussed the military cooperation dispute or that their meeting directly preceded the decision.

PLU Protest Adds Pressure

The UPDF announcement follows a demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala on Friday, organised by supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda.

Hundreds of demonstrators demanded the extradition of Ugandan dissident Fred Lumbuye from Türkiye, according to Associated Press.

The protest followed public instructions from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, who had directed PLU to mobilise for a demonstration at the embassy.

The Turkish Embassy had announced its closure on September 18, citing an expected protest near its premises.

The dispute over Lumbuye has formed part of a broader deterioration in public relations between Gen. Muhoozi and Turkish interests in Uganda, with the military chief issuing sharp statements and demands directed at Ankara.

Defence Cooperation Put on Hold

Uganda and Türkiye have previously developed defence industry cooperation, including collaboration under a defence industries agreement signed in 2016.

The UPDF has described the partnership as involving cooperation in the defence industry, with engagements between Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation and Turkish counterparts.

The latest suspension raises questions about the future of those arrangements and whether the two governments will pursue diplomatic channels to resolve the outstanding issues identified by the UPDF.

Neither the statement issued by Col. Magezi nor the publicly released details of President Museveni’s meeting with Ambassador Fatih provides a comprehensive explanation of the dispute.

The suspension represents the most significant formal defence-related action publicly announced by Uganda against Türkiye amid the current tensions.

UG Diplomat will continue to follow developments.