UPDF Suspends Military Cooperation with Germany Over Alleged Subversive Acts by Ambassador

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the immediate suspension of all defence and military cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, citing alleged subversive conduct by German Ambassador Mathias Schauer.

In a statement released Sunday, Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, said the suspension follows “credible intelligence reports” indicating that Ambassador Schauer is “actively engaged in subversive activities” within Uganda.

“This decision is a matter of national security,” Magezi stated. “The UPDF cannot continue cooperation with a country whose representative is allegedly in contact with hostile pseudo political-military elements working against the Government of Uganda.”

The statement did not specify the nature of the alleged activities or name the groups involved. However, it emphasized that the suspension will remain in place “until the full resolution of the matter of the Ambassador’s involvement.”

The move marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between Kampala and Berlin and raises questions about the future of bilateral relations, particularly in defence training, logistics, and peacekeeping support, where Germany has historically played a role.

The German Embassy in Kampala or the German Foreign Office in Berlin, is yet to respond to the development.

This development comes amid growing scrutiny of foreign diplomatic engagements in Uganda, with security agencies increasingly vocal about what they describe as external interference in domestic affairs.