A scuffle broke out between police and supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) in Kampala on Friday as demonstrators attempted to deliver a protest document to the Turkish Embassy over the continued stay of Ugandan government critic Fred Kajubi Lumbuye in Türkiye.
The confrontation occurred after PLU members, led by Secretary General Twalla Fadil and other officials, marched from the Lugogo Cricket Oval towards the Turkish diplomatic mission in Kololo. Police blocked the protesters from accessing the closed embassy, leading to a physical confrontation as the group attempted to deliver its document. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured, arrested or charged in connection with the incident.
The demonstration had been organised following a directive by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and chairman of PLU. On September 9, Kainerugaba announced that PLU would hold what he described as a full-force demonstration at the Turkish Embassy on September 18, assigning Fadil responsibility for mobilisation.
The protest centred on Lumbuye, a Ugandan political commentator who has been living in Türkiye and has used social media to criticise President Yoweri Museveni’s government and members of his family. Ugandan authorities have previously accused Lumbuye of offences including spreading false information and inciting violence, claims he has disputed.
Fadil said the PLU delegation had intended to peacefully deliver a letter to the Turkish Embassy but was told to pursue diplomatic channels. “We came here for a peaceful demonstration to deliver our letter to the Turkish Embassy, but they refused to receive it and told us to use diplomatic means.”
Fadil said PLU would consequently involve Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement posted on social media after the demonstration, Fadil said the group was acting on Kainerugaba’s instructions and demanded that Türkiye extradite Lumbuye to Uganda.
He also objected to Lumbuye’s reported application for asylum in Türkiye, arguing that he should return to Uganda to face the country’s judicial system. PLU has accused Türkiye of failing to respond to its demands.
“If they do not respond as they have promised, next time we will shut down the Embassy with a wall of PLU supporters,” Fadil said.
The Turkish Embassy had announced on Thursday that it would close on Friday because of the planned demonstration. The notice advised Turkish citizens of the closure but did not publicly provide details of any response to PLU’s demands.
The protest is the latest development in tensions between Uganda and Türkiye that have also involved disagreements over Uganda’s military role in Somalia and Kainerugaba’s public criticism of Ankara.
Despite the dispute, Uganda and Türkiye maintain diplomatic relations, with cooperation in areas including trade, infrastructure and education.
PLU said the demonstration was peaceful, while police maintained a security presence around the embassy. Earlier reports said the demonstration ended without wider disruption apart from the confrontation over access to the diplomatic mission.
