Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said Ugandan troops have begun withdrawing from Somalia and are handing over security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, announced the move in a post on X on 29 October.
“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,” he wrote.
He did not specify the number of troops leaving, the bases being vacated or a withdrawal timetable. His statement did not say whether the move involved a reduction in Uganda’s deployment or the start of a complete withdrawal.
Ugandan troops first deployed to Somalia in 2007 and have served in successive African Union missions supporting Somali forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
The announcement follows talks between the two countries’ military chiefs earlier this month. In an account of their 11 October meeting, the UPDF said Somali armed forces commander Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud had sought expanded Ugandan training and mentorship support.
Kainerugaba said during that meeting that Uganda would continue supporting the Somali army and the Somali people, according to the UPDF’s account.
Uganda’s contingent operates within the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, which replaced ATMIS in January 2025. The UN support mandate covers up to 11,826 uniformed personnel, including 680 police, across five sectors and 49 locations. That figure is a support ceiling, rather than a confirmed count of personnel currently deployed.
Lower Shabelle contains several of Uganda’s documented forward positions. In a September 2025 operational account, the UPDF identified troops at Buulo Mareer and visits to Qoryooley and Golweyn. These positions form part of the network supporting military operations along routes south of Mogadishu. Kainerugaba did not identify them as withdrawal sites in his announcement.
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