Uganda Begins Phased Withdrawal From African Union Mission in Somalia

What changed

Uganda has begun a phased withdrawal of troops serving under the African Union mission in Somalia. The first reported contingent, 109 Uganda People’s Defence Forces troops, left Mogadishu on Friday.

Uganda first deployed there in 2007. The withdrawal is expected to finish in August 2027, while Ugandan troops serving under a separate bilateral security arrangement will remain.

Why it matters

This is a handover of responsibility, not a full Ugandan exit. Somali forces are expected to take over security duties after years in which Ugandan troops helped push al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other major towns, fought alongside the Somali National Army and protected key government installations.

The timing makes the transition especially consequential. About 4,500 troops are serving under the African Union mission, alongside roughly 2,000 Ugandan troops deployed bilaterally. Meanwhile, the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia faces funding uncertainty as US and UN support is planned to wind down.

A 12-month transition plan is due to begin in January. The crucial question is whether Somali forces can absorb the responsibility as Uganda’s mission contingent withdraws. The pace of later departures and the adequacy of replacement capacity remain unsettled.