Uganda has suspended military cooperation with Germany, accusing the German Ambassador to Uganda, Mathias Schauer, of meddling in the country’s internal affairs and supporting groups hostile to the government. The allegations were made in a statement released by Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information.
“The decision is in response to credible intelligence reports that the current German Ambassador to Uganda… is actively engaged in subversive activities,” Magezi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The suspension will remain in force until the full resolution of the matter.”
The announcement follows reports of a tense meeting in Gulu between Schauer and General Salim Saleh, President Museveni’s brother, and other senior Ugandan officials. According to circulated footage, Schauer reportedly criticized the conduct of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and current UPDF chief, particularly his social media activity.
In a statement posted on May 23, Magezi stated that the government was “particularly concerned about the illegal and clandestine activities of the German Ambassador in Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer,” alleging that his actions “go against the spirit of the 1961 Vienna Diplomatic Conventions.”
“What we have tried to convey is we are worried about the reputational damage that this is causing in this country,” Ambassador Schauer was quoted as saying during the meeting.
Germany has not yet issued a public response to the Ugandan government’s announcement.
