Monday, September 21, 2026 - Uganda has suspended all defence and military cooperation with Turkey amid growing tensions over Ankara's refusal to extradite Ugandan political blogger and government critic Fred Lumbuye.
The Uganda People's Defence Forces announced that the suspension took effect immediately and would remain until outstanding issues between the two countries are resolved.
The dispute has intensified following repeated demands from army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba for Lumbuye to be handed over to Uganda. Lumbuye, who is based in Turkey, faces criminal charges in Uganda including incitement to violence, spreading false information and computer misuse.
The development came shortly after supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda demonstrated outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala demanding his extradition.
The suspension puts Uganda-Turkey defence relations under fresh strain, affecting a relationship that has included military training, defence equipment, technology transfers and security cooperation.
Ugandan authorities have also threatened action involving a major railway contract with a Turkish company, adding an economic dimension to the dispute as pressure builds between the two governments.
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