World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
Uganda begins phased withdrawal of troops from Somalia
Uganda has begun a phased troop withdrawal from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement.
The forces are part of a long-running effort to help Somalia's government fight al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group that continues to attack military and civilian targets.
Uganda has about 4,500 troops in Somalia under the African Union mission, while a separate bilateral arrangement also involves Ugandan forces.
Accounts differ on which contingent is leaving first and when the withdrawal will finish: one says bilateral troops are leaving first and all forces will be withdrawn by the end of 2027, while another says bilateral forces will stay and gives August 2027 as the end date.
The drawdown could leave parts of Lower Shabelle vulnerable to attacks, according to a warning by the African Union mission, and a Somali official said a sudden pullout could create problems.
Uganda says the withdrawal will happen in stages, but the accounts do not agree on the full schedule or which forces will remain.
Uganda has begun a phased withdrawal of its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement.
The first troops to leave are reported to be 109 members of the Uganda People's Defence Forces who had been deployed under a bilateral arrangement.
Uganda says the withdrawal will include troops serving under the African Union mission, but reports give different completion dates: August 2027 and the end of 2027.
An African Union mission letter warned that the withdrawal could leave parts of Lower Shabelle vulnerable to attacks by al-Shabaab.
Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs said a sudden pullout could create problems, though he said conditions were not currently dire.
- Who
- Uganda is withdrawing troops from Somalia, including members of the Uganda People's Defence Forces.
- What
- It has begun a phased drawdown of its military deployment. Reports differ on whether bilateral troops will also leave.
- When
- The withdrawal began by November 2, 2026. Reports say it will be completed in August 2027 or by the end of 2027.
- Where
- Somalia, including Mogadishu and the Lower Shabelle region.
- Why
- Uganda says it is handing over security responsibilities to Somali forces and ending its long deployment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Uganda first deployed troops to Somalia under the African Union mission.
The BBC reported that the first contingent of 109 Ugandan troops left Mogadishu.
An African Union mission letter warned that the withdrawal could leave parts of Lower Shabelle vulnerable to al-Shabaab attacks.
Uganda said it had begun withdrawing troops under a phased drawdown.
- Ugandan troops in Somalia
- About 4,500 under the African Union mission, according to the Straits Times
- Bilateral deployment
- About 2,000 troops, according to the BBC
- First contingent
- 109 troops, according to the BBC
- Withdrawal completion
- August 2027, according to the BBC; end of 2027, according to the Straits Times
- At-risk area
- Lower Shabelle region
3 sources
What people are saying
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
Things are not dire now, but it could create problems if their troops suddenly pull out
UPDF has embarked on the drawdown of troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements with (Somalia's) Federal Government, effective immediately