Germany has dismissed as “absurd” allegations that its ambassador to Uganda, Mathias Schauer, is involved in subversive activities.
Earlier this week, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced the suspension of all ongoing defense and military cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany following accusations directed at Ambassador Schauer.
“We reject this in the strongest possible terms,” said Kathrin Deschauer, spokeswoman for the German Federal Foreign Office, during a press briefing in Berlin. “The accusations made by the Ugandan military spokesperson are absurd and entirely baseless.”
Deschauer also clarified that Germany does not have a formalized military cooperation agreement with Uganda, and noted that Ugandan authorities have yet to provide any specific details about what the ambassador is alleged to have done.
The diplomatic row comes amid heightened tensions between Uganda and several European nations. Earlier this month, Ugandan authorities expressed displeasure after a delegation of European Union ambassadors visited the headquarters of an opposition political party.
Last Friday, Ugandan security agencies accused Ambassador Schauer of engaging in “undiplomatic conduct,” allegedly linked to rebel activity.
The allegations were made following a meeting of the Inter-Agency Security Committee, chaired by UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The committee includes representatives from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, and various intelligence agencies. It is currently investigating and working to dismantle what it describes as terrorist and subversive networks recruiting vulnerable youth, particularly from urban ghettos in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Col. Chris Magezi, a UPDF spokesperson, said the committee has resolved to take firm action against those allegedly organizing, funding, and leading these networks, which security officials claim aim to disrupt Uganda’s upcoming general elections scheduled for early next year.
“There is compelling evidence linking the funding and mobilization of anti-government groups to certain accredited European diplomatic missions in Kampala,” Col. Magezi alleged.
He added, “We are particularly concerned about the illegal and clandestine activities of the German Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer. Intelligence reports indicate a pattern of undiplomatic behavior across various regions, which is a clear violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
“The UPDF and the Inter-Agency Security Committee strongly condemn any form of foreign interference in Uganda’s internal affairs and will take decisive action against those seeking to destabilize the country,” he emphasized.
