By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Uganda has commenced the withdrawal of its military personnel from Somalia after nearly two decades of involvement in efforts to combat Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced on Monday, November 2, 2026, that the withdrawal had started, with the first group of soldiers already returning home.
In a statement signed by Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Colonel Chris Magezi, the military said troops deployed under bilateral security arrangements with Somalia’s Federal Government would be withdrawn within the next few days.
The UPDF also announced plans to gradually withdraw all its remaining forces, including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), by the end of 2027.
The military described the move as the conclusion of Uganda’s 20-year peace and stabilisation operations in Somalia, adding that it would allow the Somali Armed Forces to assume full responsibility for the country’s security.
Uganda first deployed troops to Somalia in March 2007 under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), becoming the first African country to contribute soldiers to the mission.
Since then, Ugandan forces have played a significant role in supporting the Somali government against Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant organisation that has waged an insurgency for nearly two decades.
The withdrawal comes amid growing concerns about the future of international security operations in Somalia, particularly following the withdrawal of United States funding for a key United Nations logistics operation supporting African Union forces.
Reuters also reported that the African Union mission had warned that troop withdrawals could leave parts of Somalia vulnerable to further Al-Shabaab attacks.
The development coincides with the closure of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia on October 31, 2026, ending more than three decades of UN political engagement in the country. TheDailyNewsHub previously reported on the end of the UN’s political mission in Somalia after more than 30 years.
Although the Ugandan withdrawal is expected to take place gradually, questions remain about Somalia’s ability to maintain security as international military support is reduced.
Al-Shabaab continues to carry out attacks against military positions, government institutions and civilians, posing a significant challenge to the country’s security transition.