Turkish Embassy in Kampala Closes Today Amid Planned Protest Ordered by Gen. Muhoozi

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Turkish Embassy in Kampala is closed today, September 18, 2026, after announcing the shutdown in response to an expected protest demonstration near its premises.

The closure follows a public call from Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for a demonstration at the embassy on this date.

Gen. Muhoozi first announced the planned protest earlier this month in posts on social media platform X, naming Hon. Twala Fadhil, General Secretary of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), as the person responsible for organizing the mobilisation. He pressed the PLU leadership to carry out the demonstration effectively, warning that his instructions would not be reversed this time.

In a separate post, Muhoozi said he had severed ties with Turkish interests in Uganda and called for Turkish nationals he characterized as “agents” to be arrested if they voiced opposing views. He also urged Turkish nationals and business interests to leave the country.

The dispute marks the latest escalation in Muhoozi’s running criticism of Ankara. Earlier in 2026, he had demanded a financial “security dividend” from Türkiye tied to Uganda’s military role in Somalia, and threatened diplomatic and economic countermeasures.

The friction has also centered on Ugandan dissident Fred Lumbuye, whose return to Uganda authorities have sought, with the PLU having previously staged a protest at the embassy over that issue.

Despite the tension, Turkey and Uganda continue to maintain formal diplomatic relations, with cooperation spanning trade, infrastructure, education and other sectors.
In response to the planned demonstration, the Turkish Embassy issued a notice to citizens confirming its closure today “due to a protest demonstration expected to take place near” its location.