Uganda’s military has abruptly suspended all defence cooperation with Germany following accusations that the German ambassador, Mathias Schauer, was involved in unspecified “subversive activities.” The army provided no evidence to support the serious allegations, marking a sudden and sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Germany’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected the claims, with a spokesperson calling them “absurd and without any merit,” according to Reuters.

The diplomatic rift appears linked to comments reportedly made by Schauer during a recent private meeting with European Union envoys and Gen Salim Saleh, the president’s brother. Local media report that the ambassador raised concerns about inflammatory social media posts by army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba — President Yoweri Museveni’s son — who had publicly threatened opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, and boasted of torturing Wine’s bodyguard.

These remarks added to growing international criticism of Uganda’s human rights record, especially regarding its treatment of opposition figures ahead of the 2026 elections. Bobi Wine is expected to run against Museveni, who has ruled the country for nearly 40 years and is often accused of consolidating power within his family. His wife, Janet Museveni, serves as education minister, and Gen Saleh holds a key government post as coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation.

Following the diplomatic meeting, Gen Kainerugaba took to X (formerly Twitter), saying he had “issues” with Ambassador Schauer personally and declared him “wholly unqualified to be in Uganda.” However, he emphasized that his criticism was not directed at the German people.

In a statement, army spokesman Col Chris Magezi said Uganda was suspending all military cooperation with Germany “with immediate effect” due to “credible intelligence reports” implicating Schauer in activities with “pseudo political-military forces” opposed to the Ugandan government — though no specifics were offered.

Germany's embassy in Kampala stated that bilateral trade between the two countries totaled approximately $335 million in 2024 and described the relationship as one founded on “stability and trust.” However, it did not elaborate on the scope of military cooperation.

Uganda plays a significant role in regional security, particularly through its participation in peacekeeping missions such as those in Somalia, where it combats armed Islamist insurgents.

The rare public rebuke of a Western envoy reflects mounting tensions over Uganda’s governance and suggests further diplomatic fallout may be ahead.