Gen. Muhoozi Announces Start of UPDF Withdrawal from Somalia After 20 Years

What the report says

Uganda has begun withdrawing Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) troops from Somalia after about 20 years of involvement, according to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as reported by Watchdog Uganda. In a post on X, Muhoozi said the move was part of an earlier commitment and described it as handing greater security responsibility to Somali forces. The report says he did not give details on how many troops are leaving, where they are based, or whether the pullout will happen in stages.

The article places the announcement in the context of Uganda’s long role in Somalia’s security operations. Ugandan troops were first deployed in 2007 under the African Union mission in Somalia, later known as AMISOM, and have been part of broader efforts to support Somalia’s government and counter al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group. Watchdog Uganda notes that the mission later transitioned to ATMIS and then to AUSSOM, reflecting a gradual shift toward Somali-led security.

The reported withdrawal is significant because Uganda has been one of the largest and longest-serving troop contributors in Somalia. The article says the handover comes as Somalia still faces major security challenges, including militant attacks and efforts to hold territory recovered from insurgents. It also provides regional context, noting that instability in Somalia has affected neighboring states, including Uganda, which suffered al-Shabaab attacks in Kampala in 2010.