Report accuses UAE of funding Uganda's withdrawal
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
A report accuses the United Arab Emirates of paying nearly $500 million to encourage Uganda to withdraw its troops from Somalia. The accusation comes as Kampala plans a full withdrawal by the end of 2027, according to Baraza Brief cited by Caasimada.
A report published by Baraza Brief accuses the United Arab Emirates of offering nearly $500 million to encourage Uganda to withdraw its soldiers from Somalia, allegedly in order to disrupt Turkish projects in the country, according to Caasimada Online, which cites anonymous local sources. The accusation has not been independently established.
The Ugandan withdrawal is due to be completed by the end of 2027, according to an announcement by the Ugandan army on 2 November, while forces engaged in the African Union's AUSSOM mission, tasked with supporting security in Somalia, are due to leave gradually. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the Ugandan army, had previously set August 2027 as the date for the departure of all soldiers, Caasimada Online reports.
The withdrawal comes as AUSSOM faces funding difficulties. General Muhoozi said in July that support from UNSOS, the UN office responsible for supporting operations in Somalia, had fallen by 25%, affecting fuel, water and food supplies, transport and medical care in particular, according to Caasimada Online. A US diplomatic document dated 1 July and seen by Reuters also indicated that Washington opposed maintaining UN logistical and operational support beyond the end of 2026.
