Uganda has begun withdrawing troops from Somalia after nearly 20 years of military involvement in the country. The first contingent, comprising 109 Uganda People's Defence Forces soldiers, reportedly left Mogadishu on Friday after the announcement by Uganda's army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Uganda was the first African country to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia, known as Amisom, which was established in 2007 to protect the country's transitional government from attacks by Islamist militants. The withdrawal is being conducted in phases and is expected to conclude in August 2027.
Gen Muhoozi said Uganda was handing security responsibilities to Somali forces after years of fighting and losses. However, the move does not mark the end of Uganda's military presence in Somalia. Troops deployed under a separate bilateral security arrangement will remain there.
An estimated 4,500 Ugandan troops are serving in Somalia under the African Union mission, while about 2,000 more are deployed through bilateral arrangements. Uganda's forces have fought alongside the Somali National Army and helped drive al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, from Mogadishu and other major towns.
Uganda continued its involvement through successive African Union missions, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, which aimed to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somali forces. That mission was replaced in 2025 by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, focused on strengthening Somalia's security institutions and preparing its forces to take full responsibility for national security.
The current mission faces uncertainty over future funding amid plans to end support from the United States and the United Nations. A 12-month transition plan is due to begin in January, giving Somalia and the African Union time to seek alternative funding sources.
Sources: BBC News World.