Uganda has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, authorities reported on Saturday, escalating tensions between Kampala and Ankara.
The suspension, announced by Acting Director Defence Public Information Chris Magezi, takes effect immediately and will remain in place until the two countries resolve what Uganda described as outstanding matters between them.
“The measure will remain in force until outstanding issues of mutual defence and military cooperation between the two countries are resolved,” Magezi said on X, without providing details of the issues that led to the suspension.
The announcement came a day after President Yoweri Museveni held talks with Türkiye’s Ambassador to Uganda, Mehmet Fatih Ak, during an event in Mpigi District.
Museveni met the envoy on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampala Storage Terminal. Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune and the country’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Leodand Mugerwa, were also present.
Kampala did not release details of the discussions, saying only that Museveni and the Turkish envoy discussed bilateral matters.
The development also follows protests outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala on Friday demanding the extradition of alleged dissident Fred Lumbuye. The demonstrators called on Turkish authorities to hand Lumbuye over to Uganda, where he is wanted over allegations involving harmful propaganda, incitement and cybercrimes.
Lumbuye has lived in Türkiye for several years and has continued to post about Ugandan politics from there. His online audience has given him a platform to criticise the Ugandan government while outside the country.
The protest was organised by the Patriotic League of Uganda, a group chaired by Uganda’s military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The group’s secretary-general, Fadil Twalla, said the demonstration was meant to pressure Türkiye over Lumbuye’s continued activities.
The Kampala-Ankara dispute likewise comes against the backdrop of Uganda’s military role in Somalia, where Ugandan troops have for years supported the country’s federal government in its fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
Türkiye has in recent years strengthened its role as a security partner for Somalia, adding another layer to its relations with Uganda as Kampala prepares to withdraw its troops from the country.
