Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleUganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement, according to BBC News Africa.
The first group of 109 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers reportedly left the capital, Mogadishu, on Friday. The departure followed an announcement by Uganda’s army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Phased withdrawal through 2027
Last week, Gen Muhoozi said the pullout had started and that security responsibilities would be handed to Somali forces. Writing on X, he said Uganda was handing over security “to our Somali brothers” after 20 years of “blood and sacrifice”.
The withdrawal is being carried out in phases and is expected to be completed in August 2027. Uganda’s acting army spokesperson, Chris Magezi, did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
Uganda is not ending all of its military involvement in Somalia. Troops deployed under a separate bilateral security arrangement will stay in the country.
An estimated 4,500 troops are in Somalia under the African Union mission, along with about 2,000 deployed through bilateral arrangements.
Role since 2007
Uganda was the first African country to send troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), set up in 2007 to help protect the country’s transitional government from attacks by Islamist militants.
Ugandan forces played a key role in driving al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other major towns. They fought alongside the Somali National Army to retake strategic territory and secure key government installations.
Somalia has faced a prolonged and deadly insurgency for more than two decades led by al-Shabab, a militant group linked to al-Qaeda.
Uganda stayed on under successive African Union missions, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis), which aimed to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somalia.
Funding uncertainty for the AU mission
Atmis was replaced in 2025 by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (Aussom). Its focus is strengthening Somalia’s security institutions and preparing its forces to take full responsibility for the country’s security.
Aussom now faces uncertainty over its future funding, with plans to wind down US and UN support. A 12-month transition plan is due to begin in January, giving Somalia and the African Union time to look for alternative sources of funding.
Source: BBC News Africa
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