The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine has blasted the UPDF for what he termed a “retaliatory attack” on German Ambassador Matthias Schauer.
The UPDF in a statement last week said the ambassador is supporting rebel activities in Uganda.
However, in a post on his social media, Kyagulanyi dismissed the claims by the Ugandan army, saying they are a way of retaliation after the Ambassador together with colleagues from the European Union expressed concern over the ” inflammatory social media posts” made by the Chief of Defence Forces , Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba during a meeting with Gen Salim Saleh in Gulu.
“Just hours after the Gulu meeting, the regime has retaliated, now ridiculously accusing Ambassador Schauer of sponsoring unidentified rebel groups to overthrow it! What more? They have stated that most of those so-called rebels are supporters of NUP,” he said.
According to Bobi, this tactic is not new, since it has on several occasions been used by government on a number of its opponents.
“This is an all-too-familiar script by the regime: manufacturing ‘threats’ to shield itself from accountability and justify its relentless violent persecution of whoever demands an end to its dictatorship and corruption,” Kyagulanyi noted.
He warned that government uses these narratives to sanction abductions, torture, and disappearances, aiming to crush dissent.
“We hope that the world can recognize these tactics for what they truly are and continue holding the regime accountable for its transgressions against the people of Uganda and humanity as a whole,” he appealed.
On Sunday, the UPDF announced it had suspended its military ties with Germany over the conduct of the country’s ambassador in Uganda.
“The suspension will remain in force until the full resolution of the matter of the Ambassador’s involvement with hostile pseudo political-military forces operating in the country against the Ugandan government,” acting UPDF spokesperson, Col Chris Magezi said.
