Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nkunyingi Muwada, has condemned the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for what he described as an “undiplomatic and unlawful” move to publicly implicate the German Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mathias Schauer, in subversive activities.
The criticism follows a statement by the UPDF announcing the immediate suspension of all defence and military cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany. The army cited “credible intelligence” alleging that Ambassador Schauer was involved in clandestine engagements with hostile pseudo-political and military groups operating against the Ugandan government.
The UPDF said the suspension will remain in effect until the matter is fully resolved.
However, in a press statement released Monday, Nkunyingi slammed the army’s decision to go public without first exhausting diplomatic channels, warning that the move violates international norms and endangers Uganda’s diplomatic standing.
“The mode, procedure, and forum used by the UPDF Spokesperson — directly naming Germany and Ambassador Schauer — contravenes diplomatic values and bypasses established channels under international law,” said Nkunyingi.
He warned that the public accusations against a sitting ambassador erode the principle of diplomatic immunity and may set a dangerous precedent.
“Diplomatic immunity is not optional. Publicly accusing a diplomat without engaging the appropriate diplomatic mechanisms is reckless and threatens the operational space of all foreign diplomats in Uganda,” he added.
Nkunyingi also criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its silence on the matter, urging it to reassert its constitutional mandate over international relations.
“The Ministry must not surrender diplomacy to ‘To Whom It May Concern’. It should advise the UPDF to withdraw the non-diplomatic statement and engage through the proper diplomatic channels,” he stated.
He further noted that while Uganda’s diplomats have faced similar scrutiny abroad, no host government has ever publicly exposed or condemned them without due diplomatic process.
As of press time, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the German Embassy in Kampala had issued a public response to the developments. The UPDF has also not responded to the Shadow Minister’s remarks or provided further details on its allegations.
