By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has commenced withdrawal of bilaterally deployed troops in Somalia
According to a statement issued today, Monday, 2nd November, 2026 by Acting Director Defence Public Information (DDPI), Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF, Col Chris Magezi, the withdrawal takes immediate effect.
“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,” says Magezi.
He says that the first cohort of troops under the phased withdrawal operation have already arrived back in Uganda. The operation to withdraw troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements will be completed in the next few days.
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.
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.
