Uganda’s Gen. Kainerugaba Orders Protest at Turkish Embassy on September 18
Kampala, Uganda – Tensions between Uganda and Turkey have escalated dramatically as Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) and son of President Yoweri Museveni, has ordered a “full force” demonstration at the Turkish Embassy in Kampala on September 18.
In a series of posts on X, Gen. Kainerugaba stated: “I have already severed ANYTHING to do with the Turks in Uganda. They should pack their bags as soon as possible and get out of our country.” He also warned, “We are demonstrating in full force at the Turkish Embassy on the 18th of September. … My order will not change this time. Instead we will arrest ANY Turkish agent who says anything different!”
The PLU’s general secretary, Twalla Fadil, has been tasked with leading the demonstration and has called for a strategic planning meeting at the PLU Secretariat in Naguru on Thursday, September 10, at midday. “I invite all the appointed and acting regional and subregional PLU coordinators … Please attend and keep time,” Fadil posted .
The Roots of the Dispute
The move revives multiple long-standing grievances between Kampala and Ankara:
· Refusal to Extradite Critic: Turkey has refused to extradite Fred Lumbuye, a Ugandan critic residing in Turkey who has reportedly spread disinformation about the Ugandan government .
· Somalia Security Contributions: Uganda has been a leading troop contributor to African Union missions in Somalia since 2007, deploying over 6,000 soldiers at its peak to fight Al-Shabaab, with hundreds of casualties. Gen. Kainerugaba has previously demanded that Turkey pay a “$1 billion security dividend,” arguing that Turkish companies have benefited economically from the security Ugandan troops provided, securing major infrastructure contracts in Mogadishu .
· Previous Tensions: The general has a history of controversial statements, including threatening to occupy Nairobi in 2022 and proposing marriage to Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a bride price of 100 cows .
The diplomatic fallout from this latest order remains to be seen, with the Turkish government yet to issue an official response.
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