Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after 20 years

Uganda’s phased withdrawal means its troops will leave Somalia in stages rather than all at once. It covers forces deployed through bilateral arrangements and those serving under African Union missions. The stated goal is to hand security responsibility to Somalia and end Uganda’s operations there.

A first contingent of 109 Uganda People’s Defence Forces troops left Mogadishu on Friday. Chris Magezi said the first bilateral group had already returned home, with other troops following within days. Uganda’s army chief described the move as a handover after 20 years of blood and sacrifice.

All Ugandan forces, including those under the AU mission, are expected to exit by the end of 2027. Somalia is expected to assume full security responsibility, while the AU mission faces funding uncertainty and a planned 12-month transition beginning in January.

The African Union mission in Somalia is a multinational security effort supporting Somalia during its prolonged insurgency. Its purpose has changed over time, but its central role is helping protect the Somali government and strengthen national security forces. Uganda was the first African country to deploy troops under Amisom.

Amisom was established in 2007 to protect Somalia’s transitional government from attacks by Islamist militants. Ugandan troops later fought alongside the Somali National Army, helping drive al-Shabab from Mogadishu and other major towns. They also helped recapture strategic territory and secure government installations.

The mission later became Atmis, which focused on gradually transferring security duties to Somalia. In 2025, it was replaced by Aussom. That mission supports security institutions and prepares Somali forces to take full responsibility, but its future funding remains uncertain.

The article gives two figures for foreign military support in Somalia. An estimated 4,500 troops serve under the African Union mission, while about 2,000 more are deployed through bilateral arrangements. Together, those figures indicate roughly 6,500 foreign troops supporting Somalia’s security.

The number of Ugandan troops cannot be calculated from the article. It identifies Uganda as a major contributor and says its forces serve both under AU missions and bilateral arrangements. However, it gives only the size of the first departing contingent: 109 UPDF troops. That figure is not presented as Uganda’s total deployment.

This distinction matters because Uganda’s withdrawal affects both categories of forces. Chris Magezi said all Ugandan forces will leave by the end of 2027. The article does not provide a precise current Ugandan total, so any exact figure would go beyond the available information.

Uganda deployed troops to Somalia in 2007 because the country’s transitional government faced attacks from Islamist militants. Somalia has endured a prolonged and deadly insurgency for more than two decades. Uganda joined a regional effort intended to prevent militants from undermining the government and destabilising key areas.

Ugandan forces fought alongside the Somali National Army. They helped drive al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other major towns, recapture strategic territory, and secure important government installations. Uganda also remained involved through successive African Union missions, including Amisom, Atmis, and Aussom.

The mission’s role was designed to evolve from direct protection toward building Somali capacity. Atmis aimed to transfer security responsibilities gradually, while Aussom focuses on strengthening Somalia’s security institutions. Uganda’s planned withdrawal now marks the end of its operations in Somalia, with Somali forces expected to take full responsibility.

When Uganda hands over security duties, Somalia is expected to assume full responsibility for protecting its territory, government institutions, and people. This is the intended purpose of the phased transfer. It also represents a major test of Somalia’s security institutions after years of support from Ugandan and other foreign forces.

Ugandan troops helped Somali forces fight al-Shabab, recapture strategic territory, and secure key installations. After withdrawal, Somali forces will need to carry those responsibilities themselves. The article does not predict a specific security outcome, but it makes clear that the insurgency has lasted for more than two decades.

The transition will also occur while Aussom faces uncertainty over funding. US and UN support is planned to wind down, and Somalia and the AU must seek alternative funding. A 12-month transition plan is due to begin in January, giving them time to manage that change.

The article identifies Somali forces as the main replacement for departing Ugandan troops. Somalia is expected to take full responsibility for security, with its national forces protecting territory, government sites, and the wider population. This is the central objective of the transition from foreign-led support.

The African Union’s Aussom mission could continue helping by strengthening Somalia’s security institutions and preparing Somali forces for that responsibility. Aussom replaced Atmis in 2025. The Somali National Army has already fought alongside Ugandan troops, including in operations to recapture strategic territory and secure key installations.

The mission’s future depends partly on funding. US and UN support is expected to wind down, so Somalia and the AU plan to seek alternative sources. The article does not name specific replacement countries or institutions beyond Somalia, the AU, and the missions it describes.

Countries use regional military missions when a security crisis affects more than one country or overwhelms national forces. Shared deployments can pool troops, coordination, and resources. In Somalia, the African Union mission was created to protect the transitional government and later support a gradual transfer to Somali forces.

Uganda’s troops show how a regional mission can operate alongside a national army. They fought with the Somali National Army against al-Shabab, recaptured strategic territory, and secured government installations. The arrangement supports Somalia while keeping the stated long-term goal of Somali responsibility.

Funding shapes whether such missions can continue. Aussom now faces uncertainty as US and UN support winds down, so the AU and Somalia must seek alternatives. Sovereignty also matters: foreign forces can provide temporary support, but Somalia is expected to assume full responsibility. The article presents this transfer as the planned direction of the mission.