Why Uganda Has Suddenly Cut Defence Ties with Turkey
Kampala, 22 September 2026
Uganda has suspended military cooperation with Turkey, a move driven by regional security rivalries in Somalia that threaten millions of pounds in peacekeeping revenue for Kampala.
A Sudden Rupture in Military Relations
On Saturday, 19 September 2026, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced the immediate suspension of all defence and military cooperation with the Republic of Turkey [1][2][4]. The official statement, issued by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at Uganda’s Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, noted that the suspension would remain active until outstanding issues of mutual defence are resolved [2][4][5]. While public attention in Kampala has focused heavily on bilateral disputes, including protests on 18 September 2026 demanding the extradition of Turkish-based political commentator Fred Lumbuye, security analysts point to a deeper, more lucrative geopolitical struggle in the Horn of Africa [1][2].
The Somalia Funding Crisis and Financial Stakes
At the heart of the dispute is Uganda’s long-standing troop deployment in Somalia, where it maintains between 5,000 and 6,000 personnel under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) alongside an additional 2,000 troops under a separate bilateral agreement [1][2]. This deployment is highly lucrative for Kampala, which receives at least $1,000 per soldier monthly, translating to potential earnings of 5.000 million per month for 5,000 troops [1]. However, this revenue stream is in jeopardy; in July 2026, the United States notified the African Union of its intent to terminate funding to the UN Support Office in Somalia by 31 December 2026, creating severe funding uncertainty for the mission [1][2]. Facing these budget cuts, Uganda is highly sensitive to any shifts in the regional security architecture that could accelerate its withdrawal [1][2].
Turkey’s Growing Security Footprint
As Uganda grapples with funding uncertainties, Turkey’s influence in Somalia has grown exponentially, directly challenging Uganda’s historical role [1][2]. Turkey operates its largest overseas military base, Camp TURKSOM, and its largest embassy complex in Mogadishu [2]. Through these facilities, Turkey has trained approximately 25,000 Somali soldiers in Mogadishu and at least 10,000 commandos within Turkey [1]. This massive training initiative has significantly enhanced the independent capabilities of Somali military brigades, leading the Somali government to request that Uganda withdraw its troops by 1 August 2027 [1]. Kampala views Turkey as the primary driver behind this displacement, fearing the loss of an estimated $5 million to $6 million per month in peacekeeping revenue, which totals between $60 million and $72 million annually [1].
Leverage and Diplomatic Fallout
To pressure Ankara into resolving the security impasse, Uganda has threatened severe economic retaliation, including the potential cancellation of a $3 billion railway contract with the Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi and the expulsion of Turkish nationals [1]. This aggressive posturing is consistent with the erratic diplomacy of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who previously demanded $1 billion from Turkey in April 2026 for Uganda’s military contributions in Somalia [2]. For the thousands of Somali refugees residing in regional hubs like the Kakuma refugee camp, these geopolitical fractures among major troop-contributing nations could directly undermine stabilization efforts, delay peace timelines, and affect border safety as the transition of security responsibilities to local Somali forces faces political turbulence [1][2][GPT].