In a surprise diplomatic turn, the German Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Matthias Schauer, on Friday, 13th June 2025, made a high-profile visit to State Lodge, Nakasero, where he held closed-door talks with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Kampala and Berlin, following the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)’s dramatic announcement of a freeze in all military and development cooperation with the German government.
This also followed after public accusations from the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who recently accused Ambassador Schauer of engaging in subversive activities allegations that have shaken diplomatic circles in the capital.
However, Berlin strongly denied allegations by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) that its ambassador in Kampala is involved in supporting rebel activities, calling the accusations “absurd” and “without any merit.”
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, a spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry Kathrin Deschauer, said the claims had no foundation and were categorically rejected.
Despite the diplomatic storm clouds, Friday’s meeting saw both President Museveni and Ambassador Schauer engage in what sources described as a “strategic discussion” centered on revitalizing cooperation in key sectors including trade, investment, technology, and sports development.
President Museveni underscored the need for partnerships rooted in mutual respect and shared development objectives, noting that Uganda remains committed to sustainable progress even amid diplomatic headwinds.
Ambassador Schauer, for his part, thanked President Museveni for the warm reception, expressing hope that the longstanding Uganda–Germany relations could weather the current tensions and emerge stronger.
The meeting also follows a series of protests outside the German Embassy in Kampala on Friday, organized by supporters of Gen. Kainerugaba under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
The demonstrators demanded the expulsion of Ambassador Schauer and condemned what they called “foreign interference” in Uganda’s internal affairs.
With diplomatic channels still open despite the storm, observers now await the next moves in what has become a rapidly evolving standoff with potential regional implications.
