President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Africa’s determination to sustain peace and stability in Somalia, saying the continent has the capacity and responsibility to secure its future regardless of changing international support.
The President made the remarks today while hosting the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
Held under the theme: “To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia,” the three-day summit brought together regional leaders, senior officials from the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to review the security situation in Somalia and strengthen collective efforts to support the country’s stabilisation.
The summit was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Prosper Bazombanza, Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Omar Abdi Said, Minister of Interior and Acting Minister of Defence of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdel Atty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, Special Envoy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.
Also in attendance were H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Mr. Raisedon Zenenga, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), and H.E. Ms. Qurat-Ul-Ain Sadozai, Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
The summit followed meetings of the Chiefs of Defence Forces on 29 July and the Ministers of Defence on 30 July,2026 during which participants reviewed the political and security situation in Somalia, the preparedness of the Somali Security Forces, progress in force generation and integration, AUSSOM deployment, air assets and operational capabilities.
Addressing the summit, President Museveni said Uganda’s decision to deploy troops to Somalia was never based on geographical proximity but on principle and strategic necessity.
“Uganda doesn’t have a border with Somalia. Therefore, we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia out of principle and strategy,” President Museveni said.
He explained that Uganda chose to stand with Somalia because it rejected violent extremist groups seeking to impose their ideology on African societies.
“We did not accept the extremist groups who come here and waste our time, saying they want to impose themselves on society. We had similar problems in Khartoum, Sudan,” he said.
President Museveni said Uganda’s intervention was also intended to demonstrate solidarity with neighbouring countries facing similar security threats.
Calling for mutual respect among communities, President Museveni said Africa’s diversity has always been one of its greatest strengths.
“We Africans of this region have a very rich history. We are different, but we don’t try to impose our identity on others. Whatever you are, you don’t impose yourself on me, nor do I impose myself on you.”
Commenting on the withdrawal of support by some international partners, President Museveni said African countries must remain focused on finding African solutions to African security challenges.
“If those Western countries want to pull out, that is their decision. Somalia is not going to be abandoned because of some people outside. We have the capacity. Whether others pull out or not, we shall manage.”
The President drew parallels with Uganda’s liberation struggle, saying African solidarity has historically enabled countries on the continent to overcome difficult moments.
“When we got rid of Idi Amin, it was Tanzania and Mozambique that stood with us. Africans have always supported one another.”
During a closed session, Heads of State and Government received reports from the Chiefs of Defence Forces and Ministers of Defence and reviewed the progress of AUSSOM as well as the prevailing political and security situation in Somalia.
The leaders were informed that the Chiefs of Defence Forces had considered key issues, including the political and security situation in Somalia, the state of preparedness of the Somali Security Forces, progress in force generation and integration, and AUSSOM’s deployment, air assets and operational capabilities before forwarding their recommendations to the Ministers of Defence.
The Summit also received and considered the report of the Ministers of Defence on the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia together with the Federal Government of Somalia.
In the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Heads of State commended the Troop Contributing Countries for their immense sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and the stabilisation of Somalia. They paid tribute to the gallant soldiers who lost their lives and those who sustained injuries while serving under AUSSOM.
The leaders stressed the need to preserve Somalia’s unity, rebuild national confidence, strengthen democratic governance and state institutions, and promote politics based on shared national interests rather than identity.
To ensure the mission remains operational, the Summit mandated the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Troop Contributing Countries, working together with the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Commission, to establish a joint task force to undertake diplomatic outreach aimed at securing predictable and sustainable financing for AUSSOM during the transition period, including organising a donors’ conference to mobilise financial and political support.
Speaking during the summit, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s peace and stabilisation efforts.
He said the progress achieved over the years must be safeguarded through continued political commitment, stronger coordination among member states and predictable financing for AUSSOM, noting that peace and stability in Somalia remain critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked President Museveni for convening the summit and acknowledged Uganda’s longstanding contribution to Somalia’s peace and security.
“We appreciate your leadership and convening this second meeting of its kind. Your leadership is highly commended, and we seek your continued support, especially in mobilising the financial resources required for this mission,” President Mohamud said.
The Somali leader also paid tribute to Uganda’s role in supporting his country’s recovery.
“Uganda has stood as one of Somalia’s strongest pillars. Its leadership and support are not taken for granted. You command our deepest appreciation.”
The Kampala summit reaffirmed the commitment of African leaders to sustain the stabilisation process in Somalia through strengthened regional cooperation, enhanced support for Somali security institutions and renewed efforts to secure sustainable financing for AUSSOM as the mission continues to support Somalia’s transition towards lasting peace, security and stability.
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