Uganda has announced plans to withdraw its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of continuous peacekeeping operations, a move that could have significant implications for regional security and the fight against Al-Shabaab.
In a brief statement posted on the social media platform X, Uganda’s military chief and commander-in-chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said the country’s military mission in Somalia has officially concluded and preparations are underway for a full withdrawal. “After 19 years in Somalia, we plan to completely withdraw from that country very soon,” he said, without providing a specific timetable.
Ugandan forces constitute the largest contingent within the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, formerly known as African Union Mission in Somalia. Over the years, they have played a central role in securing key government installations in Mogadishu, including Aden Adde International Airport, the Port of Mogadishu, and other strategic sites. Estimates place the number of Ugandan troops 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. In addition to manpower, Ugandan forces have provided senior command leadership, supported operations against Al-Shabaab, and contributed to the rebuilding 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’s operations and Somalia’s fragile security situation.
The announcement comes amid mounting financial challenges facing AUSSOM. The mission, which began its current mandate on January 1, 2025, is grappling with funding shortfalls following reduced support from the European Union and the suspension of U.S. funding over burden-sharing concerns, leaving the African Union struggling to cover operational costs and payments to troop-contributing countries.
