Uganda to Withdraw Troops from Somalia After Nearly Two Decades of Peacekeeping

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda has announced plans to withdraw its troops from Somalia after nearly 20 years of continuous peacekeeping, a move that could have major implications for regional security and the fight against the militant group Al-Shabaab.

In a brief statement posted on social media platform X on Sunday, Uganda’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Wilson Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said the country’s military mission in Somalia has officially ended and preparations are underway for a full troop withdrawal.

“After 19 years in Somalia, we plan to completely withdraw from that country very soon,” Muhoozi said, without providing additional details or a timeline.

Ugandan forces make up the largest contingent in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and have played a central role in securing key government installations, including Aden Adde International Airport, the Port of Mogadishu, and other strategic sites in the capital. Estimates put the number of Ugandan soldiers in Somalia between 5,000 and 6,000.

Uganda has been a cornerstone of international peacekeeping efforts in Somalia since 2007, when it became the first country to deploy troops under the African Union mission. Over the years, Ugandan forces have provided senior command leadership, assisted in pushing back Al-Shabaab, and supported the development of Somali security institutions.

No official withdrawal schedule has been announced, and neither the Somali government nor the African Union has commented on how Uganda’s exit will be managed or its potential impact on AUSSOM operations and Somalia’s fragile security environment.

The announcement comes as AUSSOM faces increasing financial pressure. The mission, which began its current mandate on Jan. 1, 2025, is dealing with budget shortfalls and limited funding commitments. The European Union has reduced its support, while the United States has suspended funding over burden-sharing concerns, leaving the African Union struggling to cover operational costs and arrears owed to troop-contributing countries.

Analysts warn that Uganda’s planned withdrawal could create gaps in security, potentially allowing Al-Shabaab to intensify attacks both inside Somalia and across the region.

GAROWE ONLINE