UPDF suspends military ties with Germany, cites ambassador’s conduct

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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on Sunday, May 25, 2025, announced the immediate suspension of all ongoing defence and military cooperation activities with the Federal Republic of Germany.

Col. Chris Magezi, the Director of Defence Public Information, said the decision was prompted by credible intelligence indicating that the current German Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer, is actively engaged in subversive activities within the country.

“The suspension will remain in force until the full resolution of the matter of the Ambassador’s involvement with hostile pseudo political-military forces operating in the country against the Ugandan government,” Col. Magezi said.

The decision follows a statement issued on Friday, in which the UPDF said security forces were closely monitoring emerging rebel groups and expressed specific concern over the alleged illegal and clandestine activities of the German Ambassador.

In the statement, Col. Magezi said, “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.”

The May 23 statement noted that, in recent months, security and intelligence services had arrested and interrogated several suspects linked to organised armed rebellion, plots to bomb densely populated public spaces, and economic sabotage through vandalism of electricity infrastructure in various parts of the country, especially 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 stated.

He revealed that some of the arrested suspects had previously presented themselves as activists from opposition political parties, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP).

“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 coordinating 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,” he added.

He said the security committee, in its most recent sitting, had resolved to take firm action against the ringleaders, organisers, and funders of rebel activities, which are partly aimed at disrupting 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,” he noted.

He added that the Government of Uganda was engaging with the concerned foreign mission through the appropriate diplomatic channels to address the matter.

Col. Magezi said the UPDF and the Inter-Agency Security Committee strongly condemn foreign interference in Uganda’s internal affairs and will take decisive action against those seeking to destabilise the country.

“The youths of Uganda are advised to avoid falling in 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 well,” he stated.

Magezi concluded that local traitorous actors and agents of foreign manipulation in Uganda’s political and security landscape would continue to be identified, isolated, and dealt with firmly in accordance with the laws of the land.