The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has with immediate effect suspended all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, citing unresolved issues between the two countries.
In a statement issued in Kampala on Saturday, September 19, 2026, the UPDF said the suspension would remain in force until outstanding matters concerning bilateral defence and military cooperation are resolved.
“The UPDF has with immediate effect suspended all and any Defence and Military cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye,” said Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Magezi, however, did not disclose the specific issues behind the decision or indicate what triggered the suspension.
The move marks a significant shift in a military relationship that Uganda says dates back to 1996, when Türkiye began providing training to Ugandan special forces. The two countries subsequently expanded their defence ties to cover several areas of military cooperation.
A major framework for the partnership was established on June, 2016, when Uganda and Türkiye signed a Military Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding in Kampala.
The agreement provided for cooperation in areas including military training, reciprocal visits, participation in exercises, defence industry, military intelligence information exchange, logistics, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and combating piracy. Türkiye’s parliament later approved the agreement, with the implementing law adopted in February 2022.
The countries also signed a Defence Industries Cooperation Agreement in 2016, providing a framework for cooperation in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, joint production and procurement of defence equipment.
The partnership remained active in recent years. In July 2024, UPDF Commander Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba met representatives of Turkish defence company Karel, who showcased defence-industry products to Ugandan officials.
In November 2024, Kainerugaba also held talks with Türkiye’s ambassador and defence attaché in Uganda, with the UPDF describing the discussions as part of the growing economic and security ties between the two countries. The Ugandan military said it was considering acquiring additional equipment from Türkiye.
The latest suspension therefore puts on hold a relationship that had expanded from military training to defence-industry cooperation, equipment discussions and broader security engagement.
The UPDF has not given a timeline for resolving the outstanding issues, saying only that the suspension will remain in place until the matters concerning mutual defence and military cooperation are resolved.
