The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has officially suspended all defence and military cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, over alleged subversive activities linked to Germany’s ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mathias Schauer.
The decision, announced on Sunday evening by Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, is based on what the army describes as “credible intelligence reports” indicating that the ambassador has been actively involved with hostile pseudo-political-military elements operating within Uganda.
“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 stated.
On May 23, 2025, the UPDF has accused German Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer, of engaging in “illegal and clandestine” activities that allegedly support rebel groups plotting to destabilize the country ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The allegations were made public in a press release issued by Colonel Chris Magezi. According to the statement, security and intelligence agencies have over recent months arrested multiple individuals linked to organized armed rebellion, bomb plots targeting public spaces, and sabotage of power infrastructure across central Uganda.
The statement noted that some of the arrested individuals had previously posed as opposition political activists, particularly from the National Unity Platform (NUP). Affected districts include Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mityana, Mubende, Mpigi, and the greater Masaka region.
Magezi disclosed that Uganda’s Inter-Agency Security Committee, chaired by the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, is coordinating efforts with police, prisons, and intelligence bodies to crack down on subversive cells particularly those allegedly operating within urban ghettos in the Kampala metropolitan area.
The UPDF named Ambassador Schauer as a person of interest in what it called “undiplomatic practices” that violate the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The military accuses him of being part of a wider network of foreign influence funnelling support to “negative and traitorous groups”.
The UPDF has warned political actors against engaging in activities that could undermine national security, particularly ahead of Uganda’s general elections scheduled for early next year.
Germany has been a longstanding partner in various development and security initiatives in Uganda. No official response had been issued by the German embassy at the time of publication.