KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) –The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has started withdrawing troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral security arrangements, marking the beginning of a phased military exit after 20 years of involvement in the Horn of Africa country.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, 2026, the UPDF said the withdrawal had taken immediate effect, with the first group of soldiers already arriving back in Uganda.
The military said the exercise to withdraw troops deployed under bilateral arrangements with the Federal Government of Somalia would be completed within the next few days.
“The first cohort of troops under the phased withdrawal operation have already arrived back in Uganda,” said Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information.
The UPDF further announced that it would gradually withdraw all its remaining forces from Somalia, including troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), by the end of 2027.
The development will mark the end of Uganda’s 20-year peace and stabilization operations in Somalia, with the Somali Armed Forces expected to take full responsibility for security in the country.
Last week, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba had announced the planned withdrawal in a post on X, saying Uganda was preparing to hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces.
“After 20 years of a lot of blood and sacrifice we are handing over security to our Somali brothers,” Muhoozi wrote.
Uganda deployed its first troops to Somalia in March 2007 under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), initially tasked with supporting the country’s transitional federal government and helping restore security.
Over the years, Ugandan troops have participated in successive African Union-led missions, including AMISOM, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the current AUSSOM.
Their operations have focused on supporting Somali security forces, protecting key installations and combating al-Shabaab militants.
The planned withdrawal by the end of 2027 will bring Uganda’s longstanding military engagement in Somalia to a close.
