Uganda begins military withdrawal from Somalia, to be completed by 2027
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on RFI, UG Diplomat, Shabelle Media Network and MyJoyOnline
Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops deployed in Somalia and plans to complete the process by the end of 2027, according to RFI, UG Diplomat, Shabelle Media Network and MyJoyOnline. The first group has returned home; the withdrawal also concerns forces integrated into AUSSOM and is intended to allow Somali forces to take full responsibility for security. MyJoyOnline specifies that a first contingent of 109 soldiers left Mogadishu on Friday.
The first contingent, comprising 109 soldiers from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), left Mogadishu on Friday, following an announcement by Uganda's army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The army's acting spokesman, Chris Magezi, said on Monday that the soldiers had returned home and that others would follow in the coming days, MyJoyOnline reports.
Uganda deployed its first troops to Somalia in 2007, as part of the African Union mission. Its soldiers helped retake Mogadishu and other major cities from al-Shabab, as well as securing government facilities, according to MyJoyOnline.
The withdrawal comes after a meeting in Kampala between Somali President Sheikh Mohamud and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, which focused in particular on security and economic relations. The Somali president reportedly asked Uganda to extend its military presence, but the outcome of the request has not been made public, MyJoyOnline reports.
The African Union mission in Somalia has about 4,500 soldiers, in addition to nearly 2,000 troops deployed under bilateral agreements. MyJoyOnline says that AUSSOM, which replaced ATMIS in 2025, is facing funding uncertainties. A 12-month transition plan is due to begin in January to allow Somalia and the African Union to seek other funding.
