Uganda Begins Withdrawing Troops From Somalia After Nearly 20 Years
Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement in the country, marking the start of a phased exit expected to end by December 2027.
Uganda’s military confirmed on Monday, November 2, that the first group of soldiers had returned home under a bilateral security agreement with the Somali government. The withdrawal will also cover Ugandan personnel serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Uganda first deployed troops to Somalia in 2007 under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), helping protect the country’s transitional government and combat the al-Shabaab militant group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Over the years, Ugandan forces have played a major role in operations to push al-Shabaab out of strategic areas, including parts of the capital, Mogadishu. The deployment has also cost Ugandan personnel lives, although the military has not released a comprehensive casualty figure.
The withdrawal comes as Somalia seeks to assume greater responsibility for its national security amid continuing militant attacks and financial pressures affecting international security operations.
Ugandan authorities say the phased departure will allow Somali forces to take full responsibility for the country’s security. However, al-Shabaab continues to control areas of central and southern Somalia and regularly carries out attacks against government forces and civilians.
The move marks a significant shift in Uganda’s longstanding military role in Somalia, although the security transition is expected to take more than a year to complete.
