Uganda Accuses German Ambassador of Subversion
Executive Summary
Uganda’s security agencies have launched serious allegations against German Ambassador Matthias Schauer, accusing him of engaging in “illegal and clandestine” activities they claim amount to subversion. This latest development, triggered by Schauer’s criticism of Uganda’s top military figure General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, comes amid a deepening diplomatic rift between Uganda and Western missions, particularly ahead of the 2026 elections. The controversy is part of a growing pattern of confrontations between the regime and foreign diplomats raising concerns over human rights violations and state repression.
Analysis
Uganda’s relationship with Western diplomatic missions, particularly Germany, is facing unprecedented strain. On May 23, Uganda’s Inter-Agency Security Committee publicly accused Ambassador Matthias Schauer of violating diplomatic norms and engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing the country. The charges stem from Schauer’s direct engagement with General Salim Saleh—President Museveni’s brother—regarding threatening social media remarks made by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of the President.
Muhoozi’s now-infamous declarations on X, including “I… have the power in this country to EXPEL any Ambassador I do not like!” were directed at EU representatives and perceived critics of the regime. These comments, coupled with accusations against Schauer of supporting “anti-government groups,” signal a broader shift: Uganda’s military elite is weaponizing diplomatic protocol to silence criticism and consolidate power.
The allegations come in a wider context. Schauer had previously been reprimanded by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2022 for advocating on behalf of tortured writer and political prisoner Kakwenza Rukirabasaija. The ambassador’s direct communication with a magistrate was condemned as an “affront to the independence of the judiciary,” and Uganda filed a formal diplomatic protest.
Human rights organizations have since criticized Muhoozi’s leadership, linking him to abductions, torture, and intimidation of political opponents, including Bobi Wine’s aide Eddie Mutwe. Critics warn that these new accusations against the German ambassador are part of a systematic strategy to deter international scrutiny and discredit those who challenge Uganda’s authoritarian slide.
In response, calls are mounting from advocacy groups such as NUP USA for the EU to impose targeted sanctions on Ugandan officials implicated in ongoing rights abuses. They argue that threatening diplomats who speak out against repression represents a dangerous escalation—and a red line in international diplomacy.
This rising hostility has also reignited scrutiny of Uganda’s controversial military figures. Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh) has been named in past UN reports on resource exploitation during the Congo conflict, and media loyalist Andrew Mwenda has defended Muhoozi’s actions despite mounting global concern. These entanglements suggest that Uganda’s elite is increasingly shielding itself behind nationalism and militarism to suppress both internal dissent and foreign pressure.
The broader diplomatic fallout may damage Uganda’s international standing. While Kampala insists on sovereignty and non-interference, its aggressive posturing risks isolating the country from Western support, trade, and aid—especially as international human rights monitors ramp up their warnings.
