Uganda Sets 2027 Deadline to Withdraw All Troops from Somalia
Uganda’s army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba says the country will withdraw all its troops from Somalia by August 1, 2027, raising fresh questions over the future of AUSSOM.
KAMPALA, Uganda (Somali Report) — Uganda’s army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced that the country will withdraw all its troops from Somalia by Aug. 1, 2027, potentially ending nearly two decades of Ugandan military involvement in the Horn of African country.
“We shall completely withdraw from Somalia on August 1, 2027. There will be no UPDF troops in Somalia beyond that date,” Kainerugaba said in a post on X on Friday, Aug. 28.
It was not immediately clear whether the date represents a formally approved decision by the Ugandan government or a position announced by Kainerugaba himself.
Uganda has been one of the main troop contributors to African Union-led security operations in Somalia since 2007, deploying soldiers to support the Somali government in its fight against Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has previously said Uganda was considering withdrawing its forces after nearly 19 years of military operations in Somalia.
In February, he also warned that Uganda could pull its troops out if financial difficulties affecting the African Union mission were not resolved.
The latest announcement comes less than a month after Uganda hosted an extraordinary summit of countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM.
At the July 31 meeting in Kampala, Uganda called on the international community to maintain its support for peace and security in Somalia and backed efforts to secure sustainable financing for AUSSOM.
Kainerugaba’s announcement has nevertheless raised fresh questions about the future of the mission, as Somalia prepares to gradually assume greater responsibility for its own security.
AUSSOM, which has nearly 12,000 troops, is facing significant financial and logistical challenges. The United States has said it will end funding for United Nations logistical support to the African Union mission from the beginning of 2027.
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Washington has informed the African Union that it will not finance the mission beyond Dec. 31, 2026, although it has not opposed a possible extension of AUSSOM's mandate.
The mission relies heavily on international support for essential supplies and services, including food, water, fuel, medical assistance and transportation.
The reduction in US support has prompted concern among African Union officials and diplomats, who warn that AUSSOM could struggle to maintain operations without alternative sources of financing and logistical assistance.
The Institute for Security Studies has also warned that the withdrawal of US support could have serious consequences for AUSSOM because much of the mission’s critical logistical backing depends on international funding.
For Somalia, the potential departure of Ugandan forces comes at a sensitive stage in the country’s long-running transition towards greater control of its national security.
The Somali government has been working to strengthen its own armed forces and gradually assume responsibilities currently carried out by foreign troops.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly said that foreign forces cannot remain in Somalia indefinitely and that the country must ultimately be capable of protecting its own security and sovereignty.
Ugandan troops have played a central role in international efforts against Al-Shabaab, including operations to secure major population centres and key supply routes.
If the Aug. 1, 2027 deadline is implemented, Uganda’s withdrawal would mark a major turning point for Somalia’s security architecture and for an African Union military presence that has been a key part of the country’s fight against insurgents for almost two decades.
The announcement also puts additional pressure on Somalia and its international partners to ensure that the transition does not create security gaps that could be exploited by Al-Shabaab.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.