The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye with immediate effect.
In a statement issued in Kampala on Saturday, September 19, 2026, the UPDF said the suspension would remain in place until the two countries resolve outstanding issues concerning military cooperation.
“The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has, with immediate effect, suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye,” said Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF.
“The measure will remain in force until outstanding issues of mutual defence and military cooperation between the two countries are resolved.”
Uganda Suspends Military Cooperation With Türkiye Over Outstanding Defence Issues
UPDF did not specify the outstanding issues or say when cooperation could resume.
The announcement came a day after hundreds of supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) marched to the Turkish Embassy in Kampala demanding the handover of Lumbuye.
The demonstration was led by PLU Secretary General Fadil Twalla following a directive from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and chairman of the organization.
The protesters accused Türkiye of allowing Lumbuye to use its territory to criticize Uganda’s leadership. The Turkish Embassy had announced that it would close on September 18 because of the planned demonstration.
Muhoozi had earlier thanked the PLU supporters and warned that Türkiye would face consequences if Uganda’s demands were not met.
“I thank the great patriotic masses of PLU for their demonstration at the Turkish Embassy yesterday. They proved that they have the spirit of lions. The Turks will comply with all our demands. If they don’t life will become untenable for them in Uganda,” Muhoozi said.
Also Read: Muhoozi Confirms He Will Succeed Museveni as Uganda’s Next President
Lumbuye Dispute
Lumbuye has become one of the issues at the centre of the worsening relationship between Kampala and Ankara, with Kainerugaba repeatedly demanding that Türkiye hand him over to Uganda.
Local authorities The dissident Fred Lumbuye’s online activities as anti-government propaganda.
Lumbuye has lived in Turkey for years, but his legal status there is unclear. Thousands view his posts about Ugandan politics, giving him a unique platform and influence unavailable to critics at home.
The dispute has also drawn public criticism of Türkiye from Kainerugaba, who has questioned Ankara’s role in Uganda’s wider security and economic interests.
The latest development follows a series of confrontations between Kainerugaba and Türkiye that escalated earlier in 2026.
Kainerugaba, the eldest child of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has railed against Turkish authorities for months. His previous plans for a rally at the embassy were repeatedly postponed as diplomats tried to resolve the issue.
$1 Billion Demand
In April, Kainerugaba demanded $1 billion from Türkiye, describing the amount as a security dividend linked to Uganda’s long-running military involvement in Somalia. He also threatened to sever diplomatic relations and close the Turkish Embassy in Kampala if his demands were not met.
Kainerugaba argued that Uganda had borne significant security costs in Somalia while Türkiye benefited from economic and infrastructure opportunities in the country.
His remarks triggered a diplomatic dispute. The posts were later deleted, while Türkiye publicly rejected the accusations and said it had no problem with Uganda.
Uganda has for years deployed troops in Somalia as part of African efforts to fight al-Shabaab and support the Somali government.
Türkiye has also developed political, economic and security interests in Somalia, adding another dimension to the disagreement between Kampala and Ankara.
Also Read: Uganda Explains Why It Cut Kenya Out of Its Fuel Imports
Turkish SGR Contract Cancelled
The dispute widened in June when Kainerugaba announced that Uganda had cancelled a multibillion-dollar contract awarded to Turkish construction company Yapı Merkezi for the Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway.
Kainerugaba said Uganda would look for another contractor and called for a demonstration at the Turkish Embassy.
The contract, signed in October 2024, covers the 272-kilometer Malaba-Kampala section of the railway. President Yoweri Museveni launched construction in November 2024.
Ugandan media subsequently reported uncertainty over the status of the project following Kainerugaba’s announcement, noting that the Turkish company had previously continued to engage with Ugandan officials.
The suspension is a major development in a relationship that had previously included formal defence cooperation.
Uganda and Türkiye established a defense-industries cooperation agreement in 2016, covering areas including defense technology and industrial collaboration.
The agreement was signed during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Uganda and provided a framework for the two countries to deepen cooperation in the defence sector.
The latest suspension puts that cooperation on hold until the outstanding issues between the two countries are resolved.
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