Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued a strong warning against people he accuses of defending Turkey in Uganda, saying those who speak on behalf of the country could face arrest.
The remarks by Gen. Muhoozi came amid rising tensions involving Uganda and Turkey following disagreements linked to the presence of Ugandan activist Fred Kajubi Lumbuye in Turkey.
In a statement shared publicly, Gen. Muhoozi said, “Being an apologist for Turkey in Uganda is a crime. We shall start arresting anyone who speaks for that country.”
His comments followed activities by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), where supporters had demonstrated outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala demanding that Turkish authorities address the issue surrounding Lumbuye.
The group accused Lumbuye of using Turkey as a base to attack Ugandan leaders, allegations that he and his supporters have disputed.
The controversy has attracted attention because of the wider diplomatic relationship between Uganda and Turkey, which has involved cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and security.
Following the demonstrations, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces announced the suspension of defence and military cooperation with Turkey, saying the decision would remain in place until outstanding issues were resolved.
Gen. Muhoozi’s warning has sparked debate among political observers and members of the public, with discussions focusing on freedom of expression, diplomatic relations and national security concerns.
Supporters of the position argue that Uganda should not allow individuals or groups to use foreign countries to undermine national interests.
However, critics of such statements have raised questions about the implications of restricting people from expressing opinions about foreign countries or international matters.
The dispute has placed Uganda-Turkey relations under renewed public attention as officials and political actors continue discussing the issues surrounding Lumbuye and bilateral cooperation.
Gen. Muhoozi has maintained that his position is aimed at protecting Uganda’s interests and responding to what he considers actions against the country.
The developments continue to attract reactions from different sections of society as Uganda navigates the diplomatic and political tensions surrounding Turkey.
