Uganda has commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia, marking the end of nearly two decades of military engagement in the East African nation. The first contingent of 109 soldiers from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) departed Mogadishu on Friday, as announced by Uganda's army chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Uganda was the initial African country to deploy forces to Somalia in 2007 as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom). This mission was established to support Somalia's transitional government against attacks by Islamist militants. Gen. Kainerugaba stated that the UPDF withdrawal is in line with previous promises and that security responsibilities are being transferred to Somali forces, acknowledging the significant "blood and sacrifice" over the past 20 years.
The phased withdrawal is anticipated to conclude by August 2027. However, Uganda will maintain a military presence through a separate bilateral security arrangement, with approximately 2,000 troops remaining under this agreement. In total, Uganda had an estimated 4,500 troops in Somalia under the AU mission alongside those deployed bilaterally.
Ugandan forces played a crucial role in combating al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group that has waged an insurgency in Somalia for over two decades. Upon their initial deployment in 2007, Ugandan troops were instrumental in driving al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other significant towns, working alongside the Somali National Army to secure key territories and government installations.
Uganda's military involvement continued under subsequent AU missions, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis). This mission aimed to gradually transfer security authority to Somalia and was succeeded in 2025 by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (Aussom). Aussom's focus is on bolstering Somalia's security institutions and preparing its forces for complete security control. The future of Aussom, however, faces uncertainty due to potential reductions in U.S. and UN funding, with a 12-month transition plan set to begin in January to allow Somalia and the AU to secure alternative financial support.