UPDF slam German ambassador over 'illegal, clandestine activities'
Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information. PHOTO/COURTESY
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In a detailed statement, Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, accused Mr Mathias Schauer of engaging in actions that violate diplomatic norms and contravene the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has accused the German Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Mathias Schauer, of allegedly supporting local terrorist groups through what it describes as “illegal and clandestine activities” in the country.
In a detailed statement, Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, accused Mr Mathias Schauer of engaging in actions that violate diplomatic norms and contravene the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“Our intelligence services are aware of his clearly undiplomatic practices that have been taking place in different parts of the country for some time now. These activities undermine the spirit of the 1961 Vienna Diplomatic Convention, which governs cordial relations between states,” Col Magezi stated. “The government of Uganda is engaging the concerned foreign mission through appropriate diplomatic channels to address this disturbing development.”
Col Magezi said security agencies are currently investigating what they believe is a coordinated internal rebellion aimed at toppling the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which has been in power for nearly four decades.
“In recent months, security and intelligence agencies have arrested and interrogated several suspects linked to organised armed rebellion, plots to bomb public spaces, and acts of economic sabotage particularly the vandalism of power infrastructure in parts of central Uganda,” the statement read.
He listed the most affected districts as Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mityana, Mubende, Mpigi, and the greater Masaka region.
Col Magezi said many of those arrested had previously been identified as opposition political activists, particularly affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP).
“The Inter-Agency Security Committee, chaired by the Chief of Defence Forces and including representatives from the Uganda Police Force, Prisons Services, and Intelligence Agencies, is working jointly to dismantle terrorist and subversive cells recruiting vulnerable youth, especially in ghetto communities across the greater Kampala metropolitan area,” he said.
He noted that the committee had recently resolved to take “firm action” against ringleaders, organisers, and financiers of the alleged rebel plots, which he claimed were also intended to disrupt the 2026 general elections.
The German embassy is yet to comment publicly on the UPDF claims.
The remarks come just days after a delegation from the European Union visited the NUP headquarters for a meeting with party leaders.
NUP leadership implored the European Union mission in Uganda to press hard the ruling NRM government over the worsening human rights situation in the country, perpetuated by the UPDF under the leadership of President Museveni's son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who serves as the country's military chief.
The EU delegation's visit seemed to have angered Gen Muhoozi, who took to his X platform and called it “an abomination” before warning that the EU was “playing with fire.”
Gen Muhoozi, 51, has on several occasions, through his X platform, boasted of torturing opposition supporters and threatening to behead opposition leaders, including NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine and veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, who has been in prison since November 2024.
On May 21, 2025, the EU delegation also met President Museveni's younger brother, Gen Salim Saleh, who serves as national coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, and reportedly expressed concern over Gen Muhoozi’s threatening posts on social media.
The diplomatic tiff comes amid a surge in arrests, enforced disappearances and reported abductions of opposition supporters, mostly from NUP, after Mr Kyagulanyi recently declared his intention to challenge Mr Museveni, 80, for the second time in the 2026 general election. Last month, Mr Kyagulanyi's civilian head of security, Mr Edward Ssebufu, was abducted by soldiers attached to the elite Special Forces Command and held for over a week.
Days later, Gen Muhoozi posted on X that he was detaining him “in my basement, teaching him Runyankore”, a statement that has drawn widespread condemnation both locally and internationally.
Several NUP supporters and opposition leaders, including Dr Kizza Besigye, are currently incarcerated on charges including terrorism and treason.
Col Magezi insisted that the suspected local terrorist groups were well-funded and said investigators had gathered credible evidence linking their operations to external support.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Inter-Agency Security Committee strongly condemn foreign interference in Uganda’s internal affairs and will take decisive action against those attempting to destabilise the country,” he said.
He urged Ugandan youth to avoid being manipulated by political actors exploiting their vulnerabilities, and instead to embrace government wealth-creation and development programmes.
“Those collaborating with foreign interests to subvert Uganda’s political and security stability will be identified, isolated, and dealt with firmly in accordance with the laws of the land,” he added.
Meanwhile, Parliament this week passed the UPDF Amendment Bill, 2025, reintroducing the trial of civilians in military courts, a practice previously banned by the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling delivered on January 31.
