Uganda announces plans to withdraw troops from Somalia after 19 years
Uganda was among the first countries to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, which began operations in 2007.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) — Uganda, the largest troop contributor to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, plans to withdraw its forces after nearly 19 years in the country, a senior Ugandan military official said Monday.
The commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said preparations are underway for a full withdrawal of Ugandan troops from Somalia, though he gave no timetable.
“After 19 years in Somalia, we intend to completely withdraw from that country very soon,” Muhoozi said in a brief statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ugandan troops form the backbone of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, and are widely regarded as critical to the security of key government installations in Mogadishu. Estimates place the number of Ugandan soldiers still deployed in Somalia at between 5,000 and 6,000.
Free Newsletter · Every Week
Sign up to the Somali Report
Get independent reporting on Somalia, the Horn, and the diaspora — delivered to your inbox every Monday.
The forces play a central role in securing strategic sites including Aden Adde International Airport, the Mogadishu seaport and other high-value government facilities, as well as supporting Somali forces in counterterrorism operations against the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab.
Muhoozi’s announcement comes as the African Union mission faces persistent financial shortfalls that have strained operations and raised concerns about the sustainability of international security support for Somalia. Funding gaps have already affected troop allowances, logistics and operational tempo, particularly at a time when al-Shabab continues to mount attacks despite recent setbacks.
Uganda was among the first countries to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, which began operations in 2007. The mission was tasked with propping up Somalia’s fragile transitional government and pushing back al-Shabab as the group seized large parts of the capital and surrounding regions.
Over the years, Ugandan forces have been at the forefront of some of the fiercest fighting in Mogadishu and have played a decisive role in stabilizing the capital and enabling the gradual expansion of Somali state institutions.
In 2022, AMISOM transitioned to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia ATMIS, under a United Nations-backed plan to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somali forces through a phased drawdown of foreign troops.
About the Author