Uganda has voiced grave concerns regarding the conduct of the German Ambassador in Kampala, Mathias Schauer, accusing him of partaking in unlawful and covert activities that contravene established diplomatic standards.
In a statement released on May 23 by the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Colonel Chris Magezi, Ugandan intelligence services characterized the ambassador’s behavior as undiplomatic and in clear breach of the 1961 Vienna Convention, which sets the framework for diplomatic conduct.
The government is currently addressing this matter through established diplomatic channels with the German mission.
This announcement comes at a time when Ugandan security and intelligence services are actively engaged in operations aimed at thwarting what they describe as organized armed rebellion, premeditated bomb attacks on public spaces, and economic sabotage through the extensive vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
Colonel Magezi stated that the areas most severely affected include Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mityana, Mubende, Mpigi, as well as the greater Masaka region.
He further explained, “Several of the suspects who have been arrested had previously posed as members of opposition political parties, particularly the National Unity Platform. Many of these individuals have been charged and are currently being held on remand awaiting trial.”
The Inter-Agency Security Committee—chaired by the Chief of Defence Forces and comprised of representatives from the Uganda Police Force, Prisons Services, and Intelligence Organisations—is at the forefront of the counter-terrorism effort. This committee is actively engaged in dismantling rebel cells within Kampala’s ghetto communities and throughout central Uganda.
In its most recent meeting, the committee resolved to take decisive action against the leaders, organisers, and financiers of these groups, which it believes are deliberately working to disrupt the general elections scheduled for early next year.
“There is compelling evidence that certain European diplomatic missions here in Kampala are funding and supporting these destabilising and treacherous groups opposing the NRM government,” Magezi stated.
The security agencies have advised Ugandan youths to remain cautious and avoid being misled by such elements, urging them instead to participate in government-backed development programmes designed to improve their livelihoods.
“The local collaborators and foreign agents involved in destabilising Uganda will continue to be identified and dealt with in accordance with the law,” Magezi warned.
Below is Colonel Magezi’s complete statement rephrased:
Over the past several months, security and intelligence agencies have detained and interrogated numerous suspects linked to organized armed rebellion, plots to bomb crowded public places, and economic sabotage through the deliberate vandalism of electricity power lines in various parts of the country, especially in central Uganda.
In instances of widespread damage to electricity infrastructure, the most affected districts include Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Luweero, Nakaseke, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mityana, Mubende, Mpigi, and the greater Masaka region.
Some of the apprehended suspects had previously masqueraded as activists affiliated with opposition political parties, notably those from the National Unity Platform (NUP).
As a result, many of these individuals have been charged before the courts and are currently held on remand awaiting trial.
The Inter-Agency Security Committee, chaired by the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces and comprised of representatives from the Uganda Police Force, Prisons Services, and Intelligence Organisations, is coordinating closely to infiltrate and dismantle terrorist and subversive cells. These groups are actively recruiting unsuspecting youths in and around the ghetto communities of the greater Kampala metropolitan area to engage in rebel activities.
In its most recent session, the security committee resolved to take decisive action against the leaders, organizers, and financiers of these rebellious networks, which are partly aimed at disrupting the general elections scheduled for early next year.
There is compelling evidence linking some of the funding and mobilization for these destabilizing and traitorous groups, which are opposed to the NRM government, to certain accredited European diplomatic missions in Kampala.
We are particularly alarmed by the illegal and covert actions of the German Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mathias Schauer. Intelligence services have observed his clearly undiplomatic practices occurring in various parts of the country over an extended period, and these actions run counter to the spirit of the 1961 Vienna Diplomatic Conventions, which govern cordial relations between states.
The Government of Uganda is currently addressing this disturbing development through the appropriate diplomatic channels with the concerned foreign mission.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Inter-Agency Security Committee unequivocally condemn any foreign influence meddling in Uganda’s internal affairs and will take resolute, decisive action against those seeking to destabilize the country.
Ugandan youths are strongly advised to avoid falling into the traps set by enemy political actors who aim to exploit their vulnerabilities for political gain. Instead, they are encouraged to participate in government-backed wealth creation initiatives and youth development programmes designed to secure their long-term wellbeing.
Local collaborators and agents of foreign manipulation in our nation’s political and security spheres will continually be identified, isolated, and dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
