Museveni meeting the Germany Ambassador to Uganda Matthias Schauer

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met and held discussions with German Ambassador Matthias Schauer in a meeting that followed significant diplomatic rift between the two nations over accusations of “subversive activities” against the Ambassador.

The meeting took place at State Lodge, Nakasero and focused on enhancing collaboration in key sectors including trade, investment, technology, and sports development and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership between Uganda and Germany.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of partnerships based on mutual respect and shared development goals, highlighting Uganda’s commitment to sustainable progress.

Ambassador Schauer thanked President Museveni for the warm reception and the opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue, expressing optimism about the continued growth of Uganda–Germany relations.

The meeting comes after the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), announced it had suspended military cooperation with Germany.

The then Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi alleged that Ambassador Schauer was “actively engaged in subversive activities” and interfering in Uganda’s internal affairs, including backing groups opposed to the government ahead of next year’s general elections and the Government of Germany however rejected Uganda’s allegations as absurd and without any merit.

The accusations against Schauer, who has served in Uganda since July 2020, mark one of the most serious diplomatic rifts between Kampala and a European power in recent memory and the specific nature of the alleged subversive activities has not been publicly detailed by Ugandan authorities.

The UPDF Chief of Defence Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba had publicly stated that his issues with the Ambassador were “personal” and that Schauer was “wholly unqualified” to be in Uganda.

The accusations followed a closed-door meeting in Gulu where Gen Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh, President Museveni’s brother, met with European diplomats and during the talks, Ambassador Schauer reportedly criticized Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s social media tirades, warning they were inflicting “reputational damage” on Uganda and urging senior officials to publicly disavow them.

Col Magezi had previously alleged that recent arrests uncovered rebel plots involving opposition supporters and acts of economic sabotage, including the destruction of electricity infrastructure, claims the opposition vehemently denies.

He further alleged that some European embassies in Kampala were “funding and mobilising” dissident groups, with Schauer identified as a key actor. Magezi claimed the ambassador’s actions went “against the spirit of the 1961 Vienna Diplomatic Conventions.”

The UPDF had warned it would take decisive action against those who seek to destabilise the country, though the recent meeting between Museveni and Schauer suggests an effort to manage the fallout.

 Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomats are prohibited from interfering in the internal affairs of the host state and while a host country can request the withdrawal of a diplomat deemed persona non grata, direct public accusations of subversion are rare and typically signal a severe breakdown in diplomatic relations.