Somalia: President Defends Uganda’s Military Role Amid Tensions Over Turkish Influence

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday highlighted Uganda’s long-standing military commitment to Somalia, noting that Kampala independently finances troop deployments outside the African Union mandate and has suffered significant uncompensated losses of military hardware.

The president’s remarks provide a diplomatic counterpoint to recent controversial statements made by Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, regarding foreign influence in the Horn of Africa.

Mohamud acknowledged the high price paid by Ugandan forces, who were the first to deploy under the original African Union mission in 2007. He specifically noted that Uganda has incurred the destruction of expensive military equipment during operations against al-Shabab militants without receiving financial reimbursement from international partners.

The comments come amid a widening rift following public criticisms by Kainerugaba directed at Turkey. The general, who is the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, recently questioned Ankara’s expanding security footprint in Somalia, challenging Turkey’s historical role in the early, high-casualty phases of securing Mogadishu.

While Turkey has become a major provider of military training and maritime defense for the Somali federal government, Uganda remains the largest troop contributor to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Diplomatic observers say Mohamud’s statement appears aimed at soothing tensions with Kampala, a critical security partner, while maintaining Somalia's strategic alliance with Turkey amid an increasingly complex regional security landscape.

GAROWE ONLINE