Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia

Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops deployed in Somalia. All Ugandan soldiers are to be brought home in phases by 2027.

Uganda had been a leading contributor to the international military campaign against insurgents in Somalia. It was the first country to send troops to Somalia after the African Union launched its campaign against Islamist insurgents in 2007, and it has since deployed thousands of soldiers across various African Union missions.

In recent months, the future of the mission has become uncertain after major donors, including the United States, cut financial support. With this decision, Uganda's roughly 20-year-long support mission will come to an end, and responsibility for security will pass to the Somali army.