Tensions have flared between Turkey and Uganda! A swift decision on military agreements.

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) announced that the defense and military cooperation with Turkey has been suspended. UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi said the decision was made without specifying a time limit and“effective immediately”announced that it was put into effect.

Magezi, in a statement from his social media account, said that unresolved issues regarding the defense and military cooperation between the two countries existed. The Ugandan army said the suspension decision would remain in place until those issues were resolved.

Lumbuye Is at the Focus of the Tension

The decision drew attention for being made during a period when the dispute over Fred Lumbuye's return to Turkey, a leading critic of President Yoweri Museveni's administration, had escalated.

Ugandan officials claim there are numerous accusations against Lumbuye, including incitement to violence, spreading misinformation, and misuse of computer systems. The Ugandan administration has long demanded that Lumbuye be extradited to Turkey.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who stands out as one of the figures holding the country's de facto political power, has recently hardened his calls for Lumbuye's extradition.

His statements about Turkey had become a topic.

Kainerugaba's remarks about Turkey were not limited to the Lumbuye file.

The Ugandan general had requested a $1 billion "security dividend" from Turkey to Uganda in April. Kainerugaba also stated that he wanted to marry Turkey's "most beautiful woman", and had warned that if his demands were not met, diplomatic relations could be severed and Turkish Airlines' operations in Uganda could be blocked.

Those posts were later removed from the social media account.

Protest Held in Front of the Embassy

The tension between Turkey and Uganda was also reflected in the protest held in front of the Turkish Embassy in Kampala.

In the demonstration attended by thousands of people linked to the Uganda Patriotic Union associated with Kainerugaba, opposition was shown to Lumbuye's operations in Turkey.

Group Secretary General Fadil Twalla said the protesters were not against the Turkish people, but had gathered to voice their discomfort with Turkey's position on Lumbuye.

Due to the demonstrations, Turkey's Embassy in Kampala was closed on September 18.

Turkey-Uganda Defense Relations Hit a Snag

For about ten years, Turkey and Uganda had been carrying out various collaborations in defense and security areas.

In addition to military training activities, equipment and defense technology projects, the two countries also cooperated on security and counter‑terrorism matters.

The suspension of military cooperation occurred amid recent statements targeting Turkish companies operating in Uganda and Turkish citizens. Discussions over the roughly $3 billion railway project led by Turkey‑based Yapı Merkezi also added to the tensions in relations between the two countries.

Following the Ugandan army's decision, how tensions on the Ankara-Kampala line would unfold and at what stage the process of Lumbuye's return would be moved became a point of interest.