Uganda army accuses German ambassador of 'illegal, clandestine activities'

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The Uganda People's Defence Forces say they are concerned about the illegal and clandestine activities of the German Ambassador in Uganda, Mathias Schauer.

"The intelligence services are aware about his clearly undiplomatic practices that have been taking place in different parts of the country for some time now, and which go against the spirit of the 1961 Vienna Diplomatic Conventions that regulate cordial relations between states," reads a statement issued by the army and signed by acting army spokesperson Chris Magezi.

Matthias Schauer, the German Ambassador to Uganda. (Courtesy)

The statement issued on May 23, 2023, says the government of Uganda is following up on the matter with the concerned foreign mission through the relevant diplomatic channels to address the disturbing development.

The army also condemned what it is calling foreign influence meddling in Uganda’s internal affairs and 'will take decisive action against those who seek to destabilise the country'.

Rebel group plotting to bomb populated areas

According to Magezi, security and intelligence services have, over the past few months, arrested and interrogated several suspects with links to organised armed rebellion, a plot to bomb populated public places and economic sabotage through the vandalism of electricity infrastructure power lines in some parts of the country, especially in central Uganda.

"In the case of extensive vandalisation of electricity infrastructure, some of the most affected districts are Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mityana, Mubende, Mpigi and the greater Masaka region".

Magezi says some of the arrested suspects are linked to Opposition political party activists, especially of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party.

"Many have accordingly been charged in courts of law and remanded in custody pending court hearing of their cases".

"The Inter-Agency Security Committee chaired by the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces and composed of the Uganda Police Force, Prisons Services, and Intelligence Organisations are co-ordinating closely to infiltrate and burst terrorist and subversive cells that are actively luring unsuspecting youths into rebel activities in and around the greater Kampala metropolitan ghetto communities," the statement reads.

The security committee, in its most recent seating, according to the statement, resolved to take firm action against the ring leaders, the organisers and the funders of rebel activities, which are in part designed to disrupt the upcoming general elections early next year.

There is strong evidence tracing some of the funding and mobilisation for the negative and traitorous groups opposed to the NRM government to some accredited European diplomatic missions in Kampala.

Youth warned

The army spokesperson advised the youth to avoid falling into the trap set by enemy political actors who seek to exploit their vulnerability for political ends.

"They are further advised to embrace government wealth creation initiatives and youth development programmes for their long-term wellbeing".

"The local treacherous lot and agents of foreign manipulation in the politics and security of our country will continue to be identified, isolated, and dealt with firmly in accordance with the laws of the land".