Uganda begins withdrawing troops deployed bilaterally in Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Uganda’s military has begun withdrawing troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements with the Somali federal government, a spokesperson said on Monday. “The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has embarked on the drawdown of troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements with the Federal Government effective immediately,” UPDF spokesman Chris Magezi said in a statement.

The first group of troops under the phased operation has already arrived back in Uganda, and the withdrawal of forces deployed under the bilateral arrangements will be completed “in the next few days,” the statement said. “The UPDF will gradually withdraw all its forces in Somalia, including those currently deployed under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) by the close of 2027,” Magezi added.

“This will mark the end of Uganda’s enduring 20-year peace and stabilization support operations in Somalia, permitting the Somali Armed Forces to assume full responsibility for security in the country,” he said. Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com