Uganda cuts defence ties with Turkey over Somalia dispute, sources say

Uganda has suspended all military cooperation with Turkey due to disagreements over its troop deployment in Somalia, sources report. The suspension is linked to Uganda's lucrative military presence in the country, not demands to extradite a political commentator, the sources say. The African Union mission in Somalia, which Uganda contributes significantly to, could end this year, potentially costing Uganda tens of millions of dollars, according to multiple sources.

Ugandan media initially reported the decision was due to protests demanding the extradition of political commentator Fred Lumbuye, but sources clarify it's a pretext for broader disagreements over military presence in Somalia and Turkey's growing role in the region's security sector.