Uganda starts phased troop withdrawal from Somalia

Uganda has started pulling its troops out of Somalia after almost two decades of military operations against Islamist militants. The phased withdrawal will transfer security duties to Somali forces and is expected to be completed in August 2027, although Uganda will retain a military presence through a separate bilateral security arrangement.

An initial group of 109 Uganda People's Defence Forces personnel reportedly departed Mogadishu on Friday. Their departure followed an announcement by Uganda's army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, that the withdrawal had begun. Chris Magezi, Uganda's acting army spokesperson, did not respond to a BBC request for comment on the development.

In a post on X last week, Gen Muhoozi said Uganda was fulfilling its promise to withdraw and passing responsibility for security to Somali forces. He described the deployment as involving 20 years of bloodshed and sacrifice. An estimated 4,500 Ugandan troops are serving in Somalia under the African Union mission, with about 2,000 more deployed under bilateral arrangements.

Uganda became the first African country to contribute troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia, known as Amisom. Established in 2007, the mission sought to protect Somalia's transitional government against attacks by Islamist militants. Ugandan forces arrived that year, beginning an involvement that continued through successive AU missions.

Somalia has faced a deadly insurgency by al-Shabab, a militant organisation linked to al-Qaeda, for more than two decades. Ugandan troops helped push the group out of Mogadishu and other major towns. Working with the Somali National Army, they also helped recover strategically important territory and protect key government facilities.

Uganda subsequently participated in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, or Atmis. That mission was intended to shift security responsibilities gradually to Somali forces. Its role formed part of the continuing effort to prepare Somalia to take responsibility for its own security.

In 2025, Atmis was succeeded by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as Aussom. The newer mission concentrates on building up Somalia's security institutions and preparing its forces to assume full responsibility for security across the country.

Aussom's future financing remains uncertain as US and UN support is set to wind down. A transition period lasting 12 months is scheduled to start in January 2027, allowing Somalia and the African Union time to look for alternative funding sources.