KAMPALA — Uganda has started withdrawing troops of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from Somalia after two decades of military involvement in efforts to combat Islamist militants and stabilise the Horn of Africa nation, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced.
In a post on X, Muhoozi said the withdrawal was part of a commitment previously made by Uganda, describing the development as a transition towards Somali forces taking greater responsibility for their country’s security.
“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,” Muhoozi wrote.
The announcement signals a potentially significant moment in Uganda’s long-running military engagement in Somalia, where Ugandan troops have played a central role in African Union-led efforts to counter the al-Shabaab militant group and support the internationally recognised Somali government.
However, Muhoozi’s statement did not specify the number of troops being withdrawn, the timeline for completing the exercise, the locations affected or whether the withdrawal would be conducted in phases. It also did not clarify whether Uganda would retain any military personnel or other forms of security support in the country.
The announcement therefore leaves questions about the precise scope of the withdrawal and the arrangements being put in place to ensure that the transfer of security responsibilities does not create gaps that could be exploited by insurgents.
Two decades of military engagement
Uganda’s military involvement in Somalia dates back to 2007, when the country deployed troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), becoming one of the principal contributors to the multinational force established to support the Somali government and help restore security.
The deployment followed years of state collapse, armed conflict and the expansion of militant groups that challenged the authority of successive Somali administrations.
For Uganda, the mission represented both a regional security commitment and an effort to prevent Somalia’s instability from posing a wider threat to neighbouring countries and the African continent.
UPDF troops participated in operations to secure strategic locations, support Somali government institutions, protect key infrastructure and help create conditions for political and economic recovery.
The mission also exposed Ugandan soldiers to sustained combat, including attacks by al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted African Union forces, Somali security personnel and civilians.
Muhoozi’s reference to “blood and sacrifice” reflects the human cost of the deployment, during which Ugandan servicemen have been killed and wounded in combat operations and militant attacks.
Uganda’s contribution has been particularly significant because its troops have served for years in an environment characterised by improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, ambushes and attacks on military installations.
From AMISOM to the African Union’s new mission
The security mission in Somalia has evolved over the years as African Union member states and international partners have sought to strengthen Somali institutions and gradually transfer responsibility for security to national forces.
AMISOM was replaced in April 2022 by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which was tasked with supporting Somali security forces, facilitating the transfer of security responsibilities and helping the government consolidate control over territory previously contested by militants.
ATMIS subsequently drew down its presence as part of the transition process. It was succeeded in January 2025 by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), established to continue supporting Somali security forces in the fight against al-Shabaab and stabilisation efforts.
The transition reflects a broader objective pursued by Somalia and its international partners: building national security institutions capable of defending the country without indefinite dependence on foreign military deployments.
Uganda’s announcement must be understood against this evolving framework, although Muhoozi’s post did not explicitly identify the mission structure under which the current withdrawal is taking place or outline its relationship with AUSSOM.
The distinction is important because the withdrawal of Ugandan personnel could involve a national troop rotation, a reduction in Uganda’s contingent or a broader strategic disengagement. The precise nature of the process requires clarification from Ugandan military authorities and the African Union.
Somalia faces a continuing security challenge
Despite years of international military support, Somalia continues to face a serious security threat from al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant organisation that seeks to undermine the federal government and impose its own rule.
The group has demonstrated an ability to carry out complex attacks against military bases, government installations, hotels and other civilian targets. It also maintains networks in parts of the country and generates revenue through extortion, taxation and other illicit activities.
Somali forces, supported by international partners, have conducted repeated offensives against the group. However, territorial gains have sometimes been followed by militant counterattacks, underscoring the difficulty of consolidating security in areas cleared of insurgents.
The effectiveness of any withdrawal will therefore depend not only on the departure of foreign troops but also on the ability of Somali security institutions to hold territory, protect communities, maintain supply lines and respond to renewed attacks.
A successful handover would require effective coordination between the outgoing forces and Somali authorities, adequate logistical support, reliable intelligence-sharing and sustained funding for national security institutions.
It would also require progress in governance, reconciliation and the provision of public services, particularly in communities that have experienced prolonged conflict.
What the withdrawal means for Uganda
Uganda’s involvement in Somalia has been one of its most consequential regional military commitments, placing the country at the centre of African Union peace support operations for nearly two decades.
The mission has involved significant operational demands, including the deployment of personnel and equipment far beyond Uganda’s borders. It has also reinforced the UPDF’s regional role and exposed its personnel to complex counterinsurgency operations.
A substantial reduction or eventual end to the deployment could allow Uganda to review its military priorities and the resources devoted to overseas operations. However, the implications will depend on the number of troops involved, the pace of the withdrawal and whether Uganda retains a role in future African Union security arrangements.
The move could also have implications for regional security cooperation. Uganda shares an interest with other countries in the Horn of Africa and East Africa in preventing militant networks from expanding their operational reach.
Although al-Shabaab’s principal theatre of operations is Somalia, the group’s history of cross-border attacks has demonstrated that instability there can have consequences beyond its borders.
Uganda itself suffered devastating al-Shabaab bombings in Kampala in July 2010, when attacks on crowds watching the football World Cup final killed more than 70 people. The attacks highlighted the extent to which Somalia’s security crisis could affect countries contributing troops to the regional mission.
Ugandan authorities have since maintained a strong focus on counterterrorism and regional intelligence cooperation.
A test of Somalia’s security transition
Muhoozi’s announcement places renewed attention on the long-standing objective of enabling Somalia to assume primary responsibility for its national security.
For Somali authorities, the withdrawal could represent an important milestone in the effort to establish greater national ownership of security operations. For Uganda, it marks a moment to assess the outcome of a costly and prolonged military commitment.
But the success of the transition will ultimately be measured by conditions on the ground: whether Somali forces can protect civilians, prevent al-Shabaab from reclaiming territory and sustain security gains after foreign troops leave.
As the process unfolds, key questions remain over the withdrawal timetable, the future composition of the African Union mission, the capacity of Somali forces and the level of continued support from regional and international partners.
For now, Muhoozi’s statement confirms that Uganda has begun the withdrawal process, while leaving the operational details and the broader implications for Somalia’s security architecture to be clarified.
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