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Uganda Defense Chief Signals Possible Exit of Troops from Somalia
Uganda Army Chief Questions Continued Deployment of Troops in Somalia.
KAMPALA / MOGADISHU (Horn post) Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has publicly questioned the continued presence of Ugandan troops in Somalia, suggesting that a withdrawal could be considered after nearly two decades of deployment.
In a message posted on his official account on X, Kainerugaba stated that Uganda may be planning to pull its forces out of Somalia in the near future.
“After 19 years in Somalia, we are considering a complete withdrawal soon,” he wrote, without providing further details or outlining specific reasons for the remarks.
This is not the first time the Ugandan army chief has raised the issue publicly. In previous posts last year, Kainerugaba similarly indicated that Uganda could end its military presence in Somalia, though no formal policy change followed.
Key Contributor to AU Peace Mission
Uganda currently contributes the largest contingent of troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, now operating under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), formerly known as ATMIS.
Ugandan forces have played a central role in combat operations against the al-Shabaab militant group and in securing key strategic locations, including Mogadishu.
Despite the army chief’s statements, analysts note that final decisions on troop deployments are typically made by President Yoweri Museveni, who has not publicly commented on the latest remarks.
There has been no immediate response from the Ugandan government or the African Union regarding any potential changes to Uganda’s role in Somalia.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
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