KAMPALA — Uganda has suspended all military and defence cooperation with Turkey following a dispute over Ankara’s refusal to hand over prominent Ugandan political blogger and government critic Fred Lumbuye.
The suspension was announced on Saturday by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), following escalating tensions between the two countries over Lumbuye, who faces 15 criminal charges in Uganda.
The charges reportedly include incitement to violence, spreading false information and computer misuse.
Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni and a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape, has repeatedly clashed with Turkish authorities over efforts to secure Lumbuye’s extradition.
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In a statement, UPDF spokesman Chris Magezi said the military had “with immediate effect suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Turkiye.”
Magezi said the decision would remain in place until what he described as outstanding issues concerning defence and military cooperation between the two countries were resolved.
The army chief subsequently reposted the statement on his official X account.
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The development came a day after thousands of supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a civic and political pressure group associated with Kainerugaba, reportedly gathered outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala to protest over the matter.
Uganda and Turkey have maintained close defence relations for almost a decade, with cooperation covering military training, arms supplies, surveillance equipment, technology transfers, counter-terrorism and other security-related activities.
The dispute has also reportedly been accompanied by threats from Ugandan authorities to cancel a $3 billion railway contract awarded to Turkish construction company Yapi Merkezi, as well as possible measures against Turkish nationals in Uganda.
The latest move marks a significant escalation in relations between Kampala and Ankara, with the suspension potentially affecting years of military and security cooperation between the two countries.
