Kampala, November 2, 2026
Uganda has started withdrawing its troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral security arrangements, with the government saying the full drawdown of all forces will be completed by the end of 2027, bringing an end to nearly two decades of peace and stabilisation operations.
In a statement issued on Monday, Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, confirmed that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had begun the immediate drawdown of troops serving under bilateral agreements with the Federal Government of Somalia. The first contingent has already returned to Uganda, and the withdrawal of all bilaterally deployed personnel is expected to be completed within days.
The UPDF further announced that it will gradually withdraw all remaining forces in Somalia, including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), by the close of 2027. The move will mark the end of Uganda’s historic 20-year mission, which began in March 2007 when it became the first country to deploy troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
“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,” Magezi said. He added that the withdrawal would allow the Somali Armed Forces to assume full responsibility for the country’s security.
The announcement follows earlier remarks by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who said last week that Uganda had begun handing over security responsibilities to Somali forces after “20 years of a lot of blood and sacrifice.” Uganda currently has an estimated 4,500 troops under AUSSOM and additional forces under the bilateral arrangement.
The phased exit comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of African Union peace support operations in Somalia and the capacity of Somali forces to take over security duties against the al-Shabaab insurgency. Some officials have cautioned that a sudden or poorly coordinated withdrawal could create security gaps in areas currently held by Ugandan forces.