Diplomatic tensions between Uganda and Türkiye have escalated after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced plans for a major protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala on September 18.
Muhoozi has also ordered Turkish nationals in Uganda to leave the country, further raising concerns over relations between Kampala and Ankara.
The general appointed legislator Twala Fadhil to lead the mobilisation for the protest through the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
“We are demonstrating in full force at the Turkish Embassy on the 18th of September,” Muhoozi said, warning that anyone he considers a Turkish agent who opposes the protest would be arrested.
The latest confrontation is linked to a long-running dispute over Ugandan blogger and government critic Fred Lumbuye, who is based in Türkiye.
Muhoozi has repeatedly called on Turkish authorities to extradite or expel Lumbuye, accusing Türkiye of harbouring a fugitive.
The dispute has raised concerns because Uganda and Türkiye have longstanding ties in trade, infrastructure, education and cultural exchanges. Turkish companies have also invested in several sectors of Uganda’s economy, while Turkish Airlines provides an important air link between Uganda and international destinations.
Muhoozi has previously threatened to close the Turkish Embassy in Uganda and suspend Turkish Airlines flights, moves that could further strain relations between the two countries.
Neither Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Turkish Embassy in Kampala had issued an official response to Muhoozi’s latest remarks by Wednesday evening.
