Uganda Begins Troop Withdrawal from Somalia After Two Decades

Uganda has initiated the process of pulling out its military personnel from Somalia, signaling the conclusion of a two-decade-long engagement in the Horn of Africa nation. This development comes as part of a broader shift in regional security dynamics, with the first contingent of Ugandan soldiers already returning home ¹².

Approximately 4,500 troops from various African nations are currently stationed in Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), with Uganda contributing roughly 2,000 of these forces through bilateral agreements ¹². The Ugandan deployment stands out as a pioneering effort, having been the first African country to send troops to Somalia under Amisom back in 2007 ¹².

The move towards full withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, aligning with the broader timeline set for all forces under the African Union mission to depart Somalia by the same year ¹². This strategic decision is influenced by several factors, including the cessation of U.S. funding for a crucial UN logistics office and the termination of the UN’s long-standing political mission in Somalia, which had operated there for over three decades ².

Furthermore, the upcoming Somali elections slated for May 2028 add another layer of complexity to the region's political landscape ². Despite these changes, the militant group Al-Shabab retains control over substantial territories in central and southern Somalia, posing ongoing challenges to stability in the area ².

What we know

• Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia ¹²
• The first group of Ugandan troops has returned to Uganda ¹²
• About 4,500 troops are in Somalia under the African Union mission, with around 2,000 deployed through bilateral agreements ¹²
• Uganda was the first African country to send troops to Somalia under Amisom in 2007 ¹²
• All forces, including those under the African Union mission, will likely leave Somalia by the end of 2027 ¹
• Uganda's current mission in Somalia is called Aussom ¹
• Uganda plans to complete its troop withdrawal from Somalia by the end of 2027 ²
• Uganda's withdrawal marks the end of its 20-year peace and stabilization support operations in Somalia ²
• The United States ended funding for a UN logistics office relied upon by the African Union mission ²
• The UN ended its political mission in Somalia after over three decades ²
• Somalia is scheduled to hold elections in May 2028 ²
• Al-Shabab controls significant areas in central and southern Somalia ²