Uganda has officially commenced the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia, ending a two-decade involvement in the African Union peacekeeping mission, APA can report on Monday.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, said last week that Ugandan troops had started leaving Somalia.
“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,” he wrote on X.
Kainerugaba did not comment on how many troops are being withdrawn, which bases will be handed over first or when the process is expected to be completed.
Uganda is the largest troop contributor to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The African Union has authorised 4,500 Ugandan troops for the mission, which replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at the beginning of 2025.
AUSSOM supports Somali forces in operations against al-Shabaab, protects civilians and key infrastructure, and assists with the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somalia’s security institutions.
Under the current transition plan, the mission is expected to reduce its presence in phases, with a final withdrawal envisaged by December 2029, subject to security conditions.
Uganda first deployed troops to Somalia in March 2007 as the lead contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Since then, Ugandan forces have taken part in some of the most significant military operations against al-Shabaab and have operated in Mogadishu and large parts of Lower Shabelle.
MG/as/APA