On May 25, 2025, Uganda’s military abruptly suspended all defense cooperation with Germany, accusing Ambassador Mathias Schauer of engaging in “subversive activities” and labeling him “wholly unqualified” to serve in the East African nation. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), led by spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, claimed “credible intelligence” linked Schauer to anti-government groups, though no evidence was provided. The move marks a sharp decline in Uganda-Germany relations, fueled by tensions over Schauer’s criticism of army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni’s son. A German foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “absurd and without merit,” Reuters reported.
The diplomatic rift stems from a private meeting with European diplomats, including Schauer, and Gen. Salim Saleh, Museveni’s brother, where Schauer raised concerns about Kainerugaba’s inflammatory X posts. The general, seen as a potential successor to his 80-year-old father, recently threatened to behead opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and boasted of torturing Wine’s bodyguard. These remarks, coupled with Uganda’s crackdown on dissent ahead of the 2026 elections, have drawn international scrutiny. Human rights groups accuse Museveni’s government, in power since 1986, of targeting opposition figures like Wine and Kizza Besigye, who faces treason charges.
Magezi announced the suspension on X, stating it would remain until Schauer’s alleged involvement with “pseudo-political-military forces” is resolved. The Patriotic League of Uganda, led by Kainerugaba, planned a protest against Schauer on June 5, citing his “undiplomatic conduct.” Opposition leader Bobi Wine called the accusations a “recycled script” to silence critics, pointing to a pattern of abductions and torture. Germany, a long-time partner providing military training and logistics for Uganda’s peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, has not officially responded via its Kampala embassy. Bilateral trade reached $335 million in 2024, with Uganda importing German machinery and chemicals.
Social media on X reflects polarized sentiments, with some users praising Uganda’s stance against “foreign interference” and others condemning the government’s tactics as election season looms. The suspension adds uncertainty to Uganda’s Western partnerships, especially as Museveni’s family-dominated regime—his wife, Janet, serves as education minister—faces growing criticism.
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