The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, in a major development that comes amid growing tensions between Kampala and Ankara over several issues, including the continued stay in Türkiye of Ugandan activist and government critic Fred Kajubi Lumbuye.
The suspension took immediate effect on Saturday, September 19, 2026, according to a statement issued by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. The UPDF said the suspension would remain in place until outstanding issues between the two countries are resolved.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has with immediate effect suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye,” Col. Magezi said in the statement.
He added that the measure would remain in force “until outstanding issues of mutual defence and military cooperation between the two countries are resolved.” The UPDF, however, did not publicly identify the specific issues behind the decision or give a timeline for when the cooperation could resume.
The announcement came only one day after supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) marched to the Turkish Embassy in Kampala demanding that Ankara hand over Fred Lumbuye to Uganda. The timing has consequently drawn attention to the connection between the two developments, although the UPDF statement itself does not say that Lumbuye was the reason for the suspension.
The PLU demonstration was held on Friday, September 18, with supporters carrying messages demanding Lumbuye’s return to Uganda. The protest followed repeated calls by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces and PLU chairman, for Turkish authorities to hand over the Ugandan activist.
Gen Muhoozi had earlier publicly criticised Türkiye over Lumbuye’s continued presence there. Following the demonstration, he thanked PLU supporters and said they had demonstrated what he described as the “spirit of lions.” He also said he expected Türkiye to comply with Uganda’s demands.
The Lumbuye dispute has therefore become one of the most visible issues in the recent deterioration of relations between Kampala and Ankara. PLU Secretary General Fadil Twalla said the protesters wanted Lumbuye brought back to Uganda to answer allegations against him.
Lumbuye has lived in Türkiye for several years and has remained active on social media, where he has frequently commented on Ugandan political affairs. Ugandan authorities have accused him of offences including spreading harmful propaganda, incitement and offensive communication, allegations that Lumbuye has disputed.
In 2021, Ugandan police said they had opened several case files involving Lumbuye, while prosecutors sanctioned charges connected to his online activities. He was arrested in Türkiye that year amid an attempted deportation but was subsequently released and remained in the country.
