General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has announced the suspension of all UPDF engagements with the United Kingdom.
The decision follows a meeting between the UK High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, and the leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP), including party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.
Followijg their development, the UK envoy revealed details of the meeting via her official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: “As part of my meetings with a cross-section of political parties, I hosted Bobi Wine and the Secretary General of the @NUP_Ug. We discussed the NUP vision; 2026 priorities; and the importance of peaceful elections for growth and stability. I’ll see more parties next week.”
General Muhoozi has now responded, expressing strong disapproval: “I am suspending ALL UPDF engagements with the UK until they explain this!”
His statement has ignited discussions about Uganda’s foreign relations, particularly its military cooperation with Britain.
Implications of the Suspension
Uganda and the UK have historically maintained military cooperation, particularly in training programs and defense collaborations. The suspension could affect joint security initiatives, military training, and intelligence-sharing agreements between the two countries.
Political analysts suggest the move indicates the Ugandan government’s sensitivity toward external engagements with opposition parties, particularly ahead of the 2026 general elections.
While some observers argue that the UK’s outreach are part of its diplomatic norms, as envoys often engage with diverse political actors to understand national political dynamics.
However, Muhoozi’s reaction could mean possible tensions between Uganda and the UK regarding political engagements in the country. The UK High Commission has yet to respond to the suspension announcement or clarify its stance on the meeting with NUP leadership.
