Kampala – Uganda’s military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued an unusually direct ultimatum to Turkey, demanding $1 billion and warning of diplomatic consequences, in remarks that have stirred attention across regional security and diplomatic circles.
In a series of public statements, Kainerugaba accused Turkey of benefiting economically from Somalia’s fragile security environment without adequately compensating Uganda for its long military engagement in the country.
He argued that Turkish companies and state-backed projects have secured major infrastructure contracts and strategic access in Somalia, including operations linked to Mogadishu’s port and airport, which he said were made possible through the long-standing security efforts of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
Ugandan forces have been part of African Union missions in Somalia for nearly two decades, primarily fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group and supporting Somali state institutions.
Kainerugaba said Uganda’s contribution should be recognized through what he termed a “security dividend,” demanding $1 billion as compensation for what he described as years of sacrifice and operational costs.
He further escalated tensions by warning that Uganda could move to close Turkey’s embassy in Kampala if the demand is not met, a move that would mark a significant diplomatic rupture between the two countries.
Neither Turkey nor Somali authorities have publicly responded to the remarks. The statements come at a sensitive moment in regional security cooperation, where multiple foreign actors maintain military and economic interests in Somalia as the country continues its fight against Al-Shabaab.
