Uganda has officially begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia, marking the start of a phased exit after nearly 20 years of military involvement in the Horn of Africa nation. The first group of Ugandan soldiers has already returned home, according to the country’s military leadership, with the full withdrawal expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The withdrawal will include soldiers serving under the African Union mission in Somalia.

Uganda was the first African country to deploy troops to Somalia in 2007, under the African Union Mission in Somalia.  At the time, the country’s forces played a critical role in helping Somali government troops push al-Shabaab militants out of Mogadishu and retake other strategic areas. Over the years, Ugandan soldiers have served in some of the most volatile parts of the country, providing security, training, and support to Somali forces while suffering significant casualties in the fight against the militant group.

Uganda’s army spokesperson, Chris Magezi, said the withdrawal is being carried out in phases to ensure a smooth transition and to allow Somalia to assume full responsibility for its own security. “The rationale is for Somali forces to take charge of their country’s security,” Magezi said, adding that the exit would be orderly and coordinated with both Somali authorities and the African Union.

Uganda’s departure is significant not only because of its length of service but also because it has been one of the largest troop contributors to the AU mission. The withdrawal will test the Somali military’s ability to hold ground against an insurgency that, while weakened, still controls rural areas and continues to carry out deadly attacks.

As Uganda closes out its nearly two-decade-long mission, its exit will mark a turning point for Somalia’s path toward self-reliance. But the transition comes with enormous risks. Without Ugandan troops on the ground, questions remain over whether Somali forcesand the broader African Union missioncan fill the gap in time to prevent al-Shabaab from regaining strength.