Uganda suspends military ties with Turkey over extradition of Museveni critic
The army said the move stays in force until the two countries resolve outstanding defence issues.
- On Saturday, the Uganda People's Defence Forces suspended all military and defence cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye, with spokesman Chris Magezi stating the measure remains in force until outstanding issues are resolved.
- Tensions stem from Ankara's ongoing refusal to extradite Fred Lumbuye, an exiled Ugandan blogger and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni, who faces 15 criminal charges including incitement to violence and computer misuse.
- General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, spearheaded the confrontation; supporters from the Patriotic League of Uganda demonstrated outside the Turkish embassy, with secretary-general Fadil Twalla declaring they are "deeply disappointed."
- The dispute includes threats to cancel a $3 billion railway contract awarded to Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi and to expel Turkish nationals from Uganda, marking a sharp escalation in bilateral relations.
- Sources suggest the Lumbuye dispute may be a "smoke screen" for disagreements regarding Turkey's growing security role in Somalia, where Uganda could lose between $60m and $72m annually if it withdraws forces.
12 Articles
12 Articles
$3 billion railway contract threatened, 10-year military cooperation suspended as Uganda draws battle lines with world’s 9th-ranked military power
Uganda has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, escalating a dispute between Kampala and Ankara over the extradition of Ugandan political commentator Fred Lumbuye.
The Ugandan army announced the suspension of military cooperation with Turkey against the backdrop of the Kampala crisis demanding the surrender of opposition blogger Farid Lomboyi, amid a political and economic escalation threatening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Radio France Internationale
allAfricaUganda suspends military ties with Turkey over extradition of Museveni critic
Uganda has suspended all military and defence cooperation with Turkey over Ankara's ongoing refusal to extradite an exiled Ugandan blogger and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni.
Amidst the Middle East crisis, relations with the US, tensions with the West, and the Russia-Ukraine war, Uganda suddenly entered the agenda of Turkish foreign policy. What is the problem of this African country, located 4500 kilometers as the crow flies from Turkey? Here's the answer...
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