According to a military spokesman in Uganda, the country has” suspended” all military ties to Germany, alleging that the German ambassador is “engaged in revolutionary routines” there. The increase comes after another army statement from Friday, in which it was claimed that some diplomatic missions in Europe had been supporting “negative and treacherous groups” opposed to the government. It also mentions German ambassador Mathias Schauer. Additionally, it comes at a time when Uganda’s care of the opposition is receiving more international condemnation. According to army spokesman Chris Magezi on X,” the Uganda People’s Defence Forces ( UPDF) has immediately suspended all ongoing defense and military cooperation activities with the Federal Republic of Germany.” According to Magezi, the move was in response to” credible intelligence reports that current German ambassador to Uganda His Excellency Mathias Schauer is actively engaged in subversive activities in the country.” According to Magezi, the suspension does “main in force until the entire resolution of the issue of the Ambassador’s participation with angry pseudo-political-military forces operating in the country against the Ugandan authorities.” He did not provide additional information, but he did confirm to AFP that” the decision has been made” The German Embassy in Uganda has never made any public remarks. As they get ready for the next seven times of national elections, human rights organizations claim that Uganda has intensified its crackdown on opponents and rebels. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the government’s son and heir-apparent, has often made threats to opposition members, most just claiming to have tortured and abducted the country’s principal opposition leader’s bodyguard in his basement. A recent meeting between Schauer and President Yoweri Museveni’s stepson, according to local advertising. Schauer, who is also the mind of the Ugandan army, allegedly criticised the colorful social media posts Kainerugaba usually posts. At this point, it is unclear what effect the decision to suspend defense cooperation may have. The German ambassador describes the relationship as one of” steadiness and confidence” on its website, noting that the two countries have long-standing ties. Schauer has been the European Union’s embassy since 2020. According to the German military, bilateral trade between the two last year was worth approximately$ 335 million, noting that Uganda primarily imported “machinery and substance products.”
