The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) announced on September 19, 2026, that it has suspended all military cooperation and interactions with Türkiye, effective immediately. This decision was made public by Col. Chris Magezi, the acting spokesperson for the Ugandan Ministry of Defence. The suspension will remain in place until issues between the two countries are resolved. The announcement did not provide detailed explanations for the suspension or the nature of the issues at hand.
Uganda and Türkiye have had a military cooperation agreement in place since 2016, aimed at enhancing military technology and defence industry collaboration. The agreement was signed during a visit to Uganda by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The suspended cooperation includes joint military exercises, training, and defence equipment development. The UPDF emphasized that the suspension will be reviewed once the outstanding issues between the two nations are addressed.
The decision to suspend military cooperation comes after a group of protesters, affiliated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), demonstrated outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala. The protesters, led by Fadil Twalla, the Secretary General of PLU, demanded that Fred Lumbuye, a Ugandan national residing in Türkiye, be handed over to Ugandan authorities. Lumbuye has been active on social media, criticizing the Ugandan government.
The PLU, led by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, has been vocal about its stance on Lumbuye's activities. The group accuses Türkiye of allowing Lumbuye to use its territory to criticize the Ugandan government. However, it is unclear if this is the primary reason for the suspension of military cooperation. The Turkish government has not yet commented on the situation.
Türkiye has been making significant strides in developing its defence industry, including the production of drones, missiles, and fighter jets. The country's defence exports have gained international attention, particularly during the conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have reportedly used Turkish drones to counter Russian advances.
The suspension of military cooperation between Uganda and Türkiye has raised questions about the future of their bilateral relations. The two countries have enjoyed relatively good relations in recent years, with Türkiye providing significant investments in Uganda's infrastructure and defence sectors. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what implications it may have for the region.
The international community is closely watching the developments between Uganda and Türkiye, given the potential implications for regional security and global defence dynamics. As tensions between the two nations continue to simmer, diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the issues and restore military cooperation. The situation highlights the complex nature of international relations and the often-delicate balance between nations.
Key points
- Uganda suspends military cooperation with Türkiye amid diplomatic tensions over Fred Lumbuye's activities.
- The suspension follows protests outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala, demanding Lumbuye's extradition.
- Türkiye has been developing its defence industry, with significant exports to countries like Ukraine.
