The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has officially commenced the immediate drawdown of its troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements, with the first cohort of soldiers already arriving back in Uganda.
The military revealed on Monday that the withdrawal of forces under the bilateral agreement will wrap up within days, setting in motion a broader, phased exit plan that will see all Ugandan troops-including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)-fully complete their departure by the close of 2027.
The latest development was confirmed by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who detailed the timeline on X (formerly Twitter).
“The UPDF will gradually withdraw all its forces in Somalia, including those currently deployed under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) by the close of 2027,” Col. Magezi stated. “This will mark the end of Uganda’s enduring 20-year peace and stabilization support operations in Somalia, permitting the Somali Armed Forces to assume full responsibility for security in the country.”
Col. Magezi’s announcement builds upon recent communications from top military leadership regarding Uganda’s exit strategy. Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba had previously signaled the start of the security handover, emphasizing the deep sacrifice made by Ugandan personnel over two decades of operation.
“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,” Gen. Muhoozi stated.
The phased drawdown arrives against a backdrop of mounting international financial constraints and shifting diplomatic priorities. In July, the United States informed the African Union that it would not support renewing the mission’s mandate before the United Nations Security Council in December, while the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) implemented a 25 percent funding cut affecting frontline operations.
Despite these global funding squeezes, Ugandan authorities have maintained that regional commitment remains steadfast. Speaking to troop-contributing leaders at the Extraordinary Summit in Munyonyo earlier this year, President Yoweri Museveni asserted that African nations possess the self-reliance required to tackle regional security challenges.
“If the international community wants to pull out, let them. All the problems we have solved here, we solved without their support. We got support from our brothers,” President Museveni stated. “Somalia will not be abandoned. We have the capacity. Whether others pull out or not, we shall stand.”
President Museveni further underscored that Uganda’s initial 2007 deployment was grounded in principle and regional solidarity rather than external demands.
“When therefore we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia, it was out of principle and strategy. We did not accept the chauvinism of Islamic groups who come here and waste our time… The second reason was to extend solidarity to Ethiopia… We had to stand with them,” Mr. Museveni explained.
During pre-summit deliberations, Gen. Muhoozi urged regional military commanders to navigate the shrinking international support by crafting self-sustaining operational models ahead of the scheduled UNSOS logistical support wind-down on December 31.
“These are difficult circumstances, but they also call for our unity, creativity, and resolve,” Gen. Muhoozi told regional defense chiefs. “The future of our mission, and the sacrifice and progress we have all made together in Somalia, depend on the quality of the decisions we make at moments like this.”
Continental and regional leaders have also reiterated their commitment to Somalia’s transition process. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf pledged sustained backing, stating, “I wish to assure the government and people of Somalia that the Commission will continue to mobilize all the political, diplomatic, and financial support necessary for the success of this mission.”
In response, Somali military leadership expressed appreciation for the two decades of external support. The Commander of the Somali National Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, commended the peacekeeping forces for their long-standing sacrifices, while the Head of the AU Peace Support Operations Division, Brig. Gen. Cheick Dembele, stressed that unbroken African solidarity remains vital to building capable Somali security institutions.
Uganda made history in 2007 as the pioneer nation to deploy troops under the original African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Over the past 19 years, the UPDF played a pivotal role in driving back Al-Shabaab militants, liberating strategic territories, and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Following AMISOM’s transition into AUSSOM in 2024, focus turned to strengthening local institutions-a mission now nearing its final chapter as Somali forces prepare for complete security sovereignty by late 2027.