World
Uganda starts Somalia troop exit after 20 years
BBC News·
Uganda has begun withdrawing troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of deployment. Acting army spokesperson Chris Magezi said the first bilateral contingent has returned and others will follow in days. A first group of 109 UPDF troops reportedly left Mogadishu on Friday. All forces, including those under the African Union mission, are to exit by the end of 2027.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Somalia is expected to assume fuller responsibility for security as Ugandan units leave.
- About 4,500 troops serve under the African Union mission, with about 2,000 on bilateral terms.
- President Sheikh Mohamud met President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala last week on security and trade.
What's Happening
- Army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said Uganda was handing security to Somali forces after 20 years.
- Uganda was the first African country to deploy under Amisom, established in 2007.
- Magezi said Monday that the pullout marks the end of Ugandan operations in Somalia.
Two tracks of deployment
- Ugandan troops serve both under the African Union mission and through bilateral arrangements.
- The Somali government has fought a prolonged al-Shabab insurgency during the mission years.
- The withdrawal is described as phased through the end of 2027.
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