Uganda’s military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, says all Ugandan troops will leave Somalia by August 1, 2027, potentially ending nearly two decades of Uganda’s military presence in the country.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced that all Ugandan troops will be withdrawn from Somalia by August 1, 2027.
In a post on X, Muhoozi said there would be no personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) remaining in Somalia after the stated deadline.
Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to Somalia in 2007, initially as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and later under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Ugandan forces are now serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Over the years, Ugandan troops have played a significant role in security operations in Mogadishu and parts of Lower Shabelle, making Uganda one of Somalia’s most important security partners.
The announcement comes amid growing reports of political tensions in Somalia. A recent report by Africa Intelligence said Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni wants Somalia’s government to move toward a national dialogue and is using Uganda’s role in AUSSOM as a potential source of political leverage.
The planned withdrawal could therefore have significant security and political implications for Somalia, particularly as the country continues efforts to strengthen its own security forces and assume greater responsibility for national security.
It remains unclear whether Uganda’s planned withdrawal is primarily a long-term military and financial decision or whether it is also linked to emerging political pressure on Somalia’s federal government.
