The Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced that his country has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia, following nearly two decades of participation in security operations there. Kainerugaba shared this information in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, stating that security responsibilities are being handed over to Somali forces.
“As previously promised, we have begun the withdrawal of Ugandan troops from Somalia. After 20 years of significant bloodshed and great sacrifice, we are handing over security responsibilities to our Somali brothers,” Kainerugaba wrote.
However, his statement did not provide details regarding the number of troops being withdrawn, the expected duration of the withdrawal process, or the specific locations where the operation has commenced.
Uganda was among the first nations to deploy troops to Somalia in 2007, as part of the African Union mission, AMISOM. Its forces have been involved in combat operations against the group Al-Shabaab, the protection of key installations, and the provision of support to the Federal Government—continuing their presence through the subsequent missions, ATMIS and AUSSOM. In recent days, Ugandan media have reported that plans are in place to withdraw troops from parts of the Lower Shabelle region—specifically Baraawe, Buulo Mareer, Qoryooley, and Janaale.
This planned withdrawal of Ugandan forces coincides with a period in which the African Union mission supporting stability in Somalia (AUSSOM) is facing financial challenges. The United States has announced that it will cease the logistical support it provides—channeled through the United Nations—to the mission by the end of 2026. This could impact the provision of fuel, food, transport, and medical services for the troops. Although financial pledges have been received from various countries and organizations, concerns persist regarding how to secure sustainable, long-term funding.
Meanwhile, Somalia continues to face security challenges, with the group Al-Shabaab retaining the capacity to carry out attacks in parts of the country’s southern and central regions. Consequently, the handover of areas currently controlled by Ugandan forces requires a clear plan to strengthen Somali security forces, ensuring that no security vacuum emerges that the group could exploit. Kainerugaba previously stated that Uganda intends to withdraw all its troops from Somalia by August 1, 2027, although the specific details for implementing this plan have not yet been fully disclosed.