Key facts
- Uganda's army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced the withdrawal, saying security was being handed to Somali forces.
- About 4,500 Ugandan troops serve in Somalia under the African Union mission, with about 2,000 more under bilateral arrangements.
- The phased withdrawal is expected to be completed in August 2027, with bilateral troops staying on.
- Uganda's acting army spokesperson, Chris Magezi, did not respond to a request for comment.
- A 12-month transition plan for the African Union mission is due to begin in January amid funding uncertainty.
Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement in the country. A first contingent of 109 Uganda People's Defence Forces troops reportedly left the capital, Mogadishu, on Friday, following an announcement by Uganda's army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Uganda's acting army spokesperson, Chris Magezi, did not respond to a request for comment. In a post on X, Gen Muhoozi said: "As we promised, we have started withdrawing UPDF from Somalia. After 20 years of a lot of blood and sacrifice, we are handing over security to our Somali brothers."
The withdrawal is being carried out in phases and is expected to be completed in August 2027. Uganda is not ending its entire military involvement in Somalia: its troops deployed under a separate bilateral security arrangement will remain in the country. An estimated 4,500 troops serve in Somalia under the African Union mission, alongside about 2,000 deployed through bilateral arrangements.
Uganda was the first African country to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia, established in 2007 to help protect the country's transitional government from attacks by Islamist militants. Ugandan forces played a key role in driving al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other major towns, fighting alongside the Somali National Army to recapture strategic territory and secure key government installations.
Ugandan troops continued their involvement under successive African Union missions, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, which aimed to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somalia. It was replaced in 2025 by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, which focuses on strengthening Somalia's security institutions. That mission faces uncertainty over its future funding amid plans to wind down US and UN support, with a 12-month transition plan due to begin in January to give Somalia and the African Union time to seek alternative funding.