Uganda has begun withdrawing its peacekeeping troops from Somalia, where they have been part of an African Union force for years. The first cohort of soldiers has already returned to Uganda as part of a phased withdrawal operation, according to military spokesman Col. Chris Magezi.
All Ugandan troops are scheduled to depart Somalia by the end of 2027. Thousands of Ugandan soldiers have been deployed in the Horn of Africa nation since 2007 as part of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). During their deployment, these forces were instrumental in dislodging extremist rebels from al-Shabab in public areas of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The mission saw numerous Ugandan peacekeepers killed or wounded over the years, though official figures on casualties have not been disclosed.
The withdrawal coincides with the conclusion of the United Nations' political mission in Somalia and an increased assertion by Somali authorities to take greater control of internal security. The UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia, which advised Somali leaders and helped mediate political disputes for over three decades, closed on Saturday. While Somali officials view this as a significant step towards self-governance, some opposition figures and analysts express concern, pointing to ongoing political disputes and the persistent threat from al-Shabab.
United Nations aid agencies will continue their operations in Somalia, with a separate UN office set to provide ongoing logistical and support services to African Union troops and select Somali security units.