Uganda begins withdrawal of military forces from Somalia

Uganda has officially commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia, marking the end of a nearly two-decade military presence in the conflict-ridden nation. The first detachment, consisting of 109 soldiers of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), departed from Mogadishu last Friday and has already arrived back in Uganda. The move was confirmed by army spokesperson Chris Magezi and follows a previous announcement made on social media by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The phased withdrawal concerns all Ugandan forces currently stationed in Somalia, including those operating under bilateral agreements and those contributing to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (Aussom). The departure is scheduled to continue in stages over the coming days, with the total removal of all UPDF personnel expected to be completed by the end of 2027. This decision shifts the burden of national security entirely to the Somali government.

The Ugandan military has been a key pillar of security in Somalia since 2007, battling the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab insurgency. With the Somali government still facing significant vulnerabilities and militants controlling large portions of the country, the international community continues to monitor the impact of this withdrawal on regional stability.