Uganda ends two decades of military presence in Somalia

Uganda has begun removing its military forces from Somalia, concluding a 20-year deployment that made it the pioneering contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The withdrawal represents a significant shift in the regional security landscape, as Kampala's troops have been central to efforts to combat militant groups and shore up the Somali government.

The Ugandan contingent was among the first to deploy when AMISOM was established in 2007, responding to the security crisis gripping Somalia. Over the past two decades, Ugandan forces have engaged in numerous operations against Al-Shabaab and other armed groups, suffering considerable casualties in the process.

The withdrawal comes amid broader changes to the AU peacekeeping mission, which has been transitioning toward a smaller, more focused force in recent years. The operation has faced mounting pressure to demonstrate progress in stabilizing Somalia while managing resource constraints and political considerations among troop-contributing nations.

Uganda's departure signals a transition point for regional security arrangements in the Horn of Africa. The move underscores the shifting dynamics of international peacekeeping operations and raises questions about the capacity of remaining forces to maintain stability in Somalia during the critical transition period ahead.