Uganda: Uganda Suspends Military Ties With Turkey Over Extradition of Museveni Critic
[RFI] Uganda has suspended all military and defence cooperation with Turkey over Ankara's ongoing refusal to extradite an exiled Ugandan blogger and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni.
Uganda has abruptly halted all military and defense collaboration with Turkey following Ankara's continued reluctance to extradite a former Ugandan blogger, Fred Lumbuye, a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni. Lumbuye, an exiled dissident residing in Turkey, faces 15 criminal charges in Uganda, encompassing incitement to violence, dissemination of false information, and computer misuse.
Army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, widely expected to succeed his father as leader, has frequently disagreed with Turkish authorities over the extradition process. The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) announced the suspension immediately, with spokesman Chris Magezi stating the measure would persist until the pending defense and military cooperation matters are addressed.
Following the suspension, a group of Ugandan dissidents affiliated with the Patriotic League of Uganda protested outside the Turkish embassy in Kampala, expressing disappointment and demanding Lumbuye's extradition. The group's secretary-general, Fadil Twalla, clarified that they are not antagonistic towards Turkish citizens but are instead patriotic Ugandans dismayed by the situation.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni's son and a prominent political figure, praised the PLU demonstration, asserting that Turkey will comply with their demands or face dire consequences. In July 2022, a Turkish court dismissed Uganda's request for Lumbuye's extradition. The situation in Turkey remains uncertain. Despite being a significant source of influence due to his online presence, Lumbuye's future in Turkey remains ambiguous.
Uganda and Turkey have enjoyed close defense ties for nearly a decade, with a defense-industries cooperation agreement signed in 2016 and expanded in 2022. Cooperation areas include military training, arms and surveillance equipment, technology transfers, and joint counter-terrorism and security efforts. The suspension follows threats to cancel a $3 billion SGR railway contract with Turkish company Yapi Merkezi and plans to expel Turkish nationals from Uganda.
Turkish media reported in June that Muhoozi Kainerugaba had terminated the contract, escalating a series of hostile actions and remarks directed at Turkey.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.