Thousands of supporters belonging to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU)
took to the streets of Kampala on Friday, marching to the Turkish Embassy to
demand the extradition of Ugandan activist and government critic Fred Kajubi
Lumbuye.
The demonstration was led by PLU Secretary General Fadil Twalla following
directives from PLU Chairman and Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi
Kainerugaba, who has repeatedly called for Lumbuye’s return to face criminal
prosecution in Uganda.
“Today was about Lumbuye. You can’t attack our country, which is very
peaceful, from Turkey,” Twalla declared to the crowd. “We want him to come back
to Uganda to answer the criminal charges against him.”
Protesters accused the Turkish government of harboring a wanted
individual and called on Ankara to respect Uganda’s national sovereignty and
legal system. Twalla confirmed that the PLU formally requested Turkish
authorities to extradite Lumbuye while opposing his attempts to seek political
asylum. He warned that larger, countrywide protests could follow if Turkey
fails to act.
The Turkish Embassy, which closed for the day due to the pre-announced
march, was heavily guarded by local police forces. The protest concluded
peacefully without major disruptions.
The Ongoing Legal and Political Battle
Fred Lumbuye, a vocal online commentator based in Turkey for several
years, has consistently drawn the ire of Kampala through social media
broadcasts criticizing President Yoweri Museveni and senior government
officials. Ugandan authorities accuse him of spreading harmful propaganda,
inciting violence, and committing cyber-related offenses.
- 2021 Arrest & Charges: The Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP) sanctioned multiple charges against Lumbuye, with
police opening 15 case files related to offensive communication and
incitement.
- Failed Deportation: Lumbuye was detained by Turkish
authorities in August 2021 amid deportation efforts, but legal
interventions blocked his immediate removal, leading to his eventual
release.
Escalating
Diplomatic Tensions Between Uganda and Turkey
The protest underscores growing friction between Kampala and Ankara.
Beyond Lumbuye's extradition, relations have been strained by contrasting
geopolitical interests in the Horn of Africa, particularly regarding Turkey's
footprint in Somalia.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has publicly criticized Ankara’s policy in
Somalia, where Uganda has maintained a military presence under African Union
peace missions since 2007. Meanwhile, Turkey maintains major economic and
security investments in Somalia, including troop training facilities and
strategic infrastructure management.
In an attempt to manage the diplomatic strain, President Yoweri Museveni
recently held high-level discussions with Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Fatih Ak in
Mpigi District. The meeting—their second following a previous session at
Museveni’s Kisozi Farm—focused on "issues of mutual interest," though
official statements omitted specific details regarding Lumbuye or military
operations.
As of publication, the Turkish Embassy in Kampala has not issued a formal
statement responding to the PLU's demands.
