Uganda suspends all military and defense cooperation with Turkey

Uganda has officially suspended all defense and military cooperation with Turkey, effective immediately. Colonel Chris Magezi, spokesperson for the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), stated that the suspension will remain in place until “unresolved issues” regarding mutual defense and military cooperation are addressed.

While the official announcement did not specify the exact nature of the suspended agreements, the move follows intense diplomatic tension regarding the extradition of Fred Lumbuye. Lumbuye, a Ugandan political blogger and critic of President Yoweri Museveni, resides in Turkey and faces 15 charges in Uganda, including incitement to violence and spreading false information.

The decision follows protests in Kampala in front of the Turkish Embassy, organized by the Uganda Patriots League (PLU) under the leadership of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Protesters demanded the return of Lumbuye to Uganda.