KAMPALA (Somaliguardian) – Uganda’s military has announced plans to withdraw its troops from Somalia, where they have served for 19 years under the African Union peacekeeping mission fighting the Islamist group Al-Shabaab and supporting the Somali federal government.
The announcement was made on Monday by Uganda’s army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni. He said Ugandan forces would leave Somalia soon, though no timetable or further details were provided.
“After 19 years in Somalia. We intend to completely withdraw from that country very soon,” he said on X.
Uganda has previously threatened to pull out its troops. President Museveni has in the past warned that persistent political infighting among Somali leaders had undermined efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab and restore lasting stability to the country.
The latest remarks come at a time when the African Union mission in Somalia, now known as AUSSOM (African Union Support and Stabilization Mission), is facing severe financial strain. The force has been grappling with funding shortfalls amid donor fatigue and the refusal of the United States to provide financial support, leaving the mission in arrears for much of the past two years.
Ugandan troops have played a central role in securing Mogadishu and other major cities since the deployment began, making any potential withdrawal a significant development for Somalia’s security landscape.
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