Uganda suspends military cooperation with Türkiye

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the immediate suspension of all military and defense cooperation with Türkiye. The decision, communicated by acting spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi, will remain in effect until outstanding bilateral issues are resolved.

The suspension follows escalating tensions between the two nations, centered on the demand for the extradition of Fred Kajubi Lumbuye. Lumbuye, a Ugandan political critic and blogger, resides in Türkiye and faces multiple charges in Uganda, including incitement, harmful propaganda, and cybercrimes.

On September 18, 2026, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU)—a group chaired by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba—organized a large-scale demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala to demand Lumbuye’s return. The protest led to the temporary closure of the embassy. While the UPDF statement did not explicitly link the military suspension to the Lumbuye dispute, the move marks a significant shift in a decade-long defense relationship that previously included military training and equipment transfers.