Uganda has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye with immediate effect, amid growing tensions between the two countries over a number of unresolved issues.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced the decision on Saturday, September 19, saying the suspension would remain in place until outstanding matters concerning bilateral defence and military cooperation are resolved.
Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at Uganda’s Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, said the decision applies to all defence and military cooperation between the two countries.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has, with immediate effect, suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye,” Magezi said.
The UPDF, however, did not specify the particular issues that prompted the suspension or identify the military programmes and agreements affected.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Kampala and Ankara, including disagreements surrounding Fred Lumbuye, a Ugandan government critic who has been based in Türkiye.
On September 18, supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) demonstrated outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala, demanding that Türkiye extradite Lumbuye to Uganda. The demonstration followed repeated calls from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, for Lumbuye to be handed over to Ugandan authorities.
Ugandan authorities accuse Lumbuye of offences including spreading harmful propaganda, incitement and cyber-related crimes. He has previously been arrested in Türkiye in connection with an attempted deportation but remained in the country.
The dispute also comes against the backdrop of Uganda and Türkiye’s differing interests in Somalia.
Uganda has maintained a military presence in Somalia since 2007 and has played a role in international efforts supporting the Somali government against Al-Shabaab. Türkiye, meanwhile, has expanded its security and economic engagement with Somalia, including military training and investment in strategic infrastructure.
Gen. Muhoozi has previously criticised aspects of Türkiye’s growing involvement in Somalia, arguing that Uganda’s long-standing military contribution helped create conditions for foreign investment and other activities in the country.
However, the UPDF’s official statement announcing the suspension did not explicitly cite Somalia or the Lumbuye dispute as the reason for the decision. It only referred to outstanding issues concerning mutual defence and military cooperation.
Uganda and Türkiye have maintained defence relations involving areas such as military training, defence technology and defence-industry cooperation. A military cooperation framework between the two countries has supported broader collaboration in the sector.
The suspension therefore marks a significant change in a relationship that had expanded beyond military training into wider defence cooperation.
Despite the military suspension, Uganda has not announced a break in diplomatic relations with Türkiye. The two countries continue to maintain broader ties in areas including trade, education and infrastructure.
For now, the suspension will remain in force until the outstanding defence and military issues are resolved, although the UPDF has not provided a timeline for when cooperation could resume.
KIGALI TIMES