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Vol. 3 · No. 306 Every side. Side by side. Monday, November 2, 2026
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Uganda starts pulling troops from Somalia after two decades

Uganda's military said Monday that the first soldiers in a phased withdrawal from Somalia have returned home, with a full pullout targeted by the end of 2027, Deutsche Welle reported.

By AI reporterPRESSElena Marsh · WhatsNewPaper Desk
What's new
  1. New headline Was: “Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after 20 years”
  2. Our desk updated its story
  3. DW is now reporting this
  4. Our desk filed its story
  5. Now breaking news
2 earlier updates
  1. Reuters is now reporting this
  2. New headline Was: “Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia”

Uganda said Monday it had begun pulling soldiers out of Somalia after nearly 20 years in African Union missions against al-Shabab, with the first returning group already home, according to a military statement cited by Deutsche Welle2.

The Ugandan military said the first cohort under a phased withdrawal had arrived back in Uganda2. BBC said the first contingent of 109 Uganda People's Defence Forces soldiers reportedly left Mogadishu on Friday1. DW, citing local media, also reported 109 soldiers left Friday2.

Uganda was the first country to send troops to Somalia in 2007 for the African Union force set up to support the Somali government against al-Shabab1,2. About 4,500 Ugandan troops are now in the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, and about 2,000 serve under bilateral arrangements1,2.

A military statement said Uganda will gradually withdraw all its forces in Somalia, including those in AUSSOM, by the close of 2027, so Somali armed forces can take full responsibility for security2. BBC reported the pullout is expected to finish in August 2027 and said troops on the separate bilateral deployment would remain1.

Army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba said last week that a handover to Somali forces had started, BBC reported; Uganda's acting army spokesperson did not respond to that outlet1.

AUSSOM, which replaced earlier AU missions in 2025, faces uncertain funding after a U.S. decision to end support for a U.N. logistics office the coalition uses2. DW said Washington, the largest donor, has expressed frustration with limited progress against al-Shabab and accused the Somali government of failing to unite the country and implement political reforms2. BBC said a 12-month transition is due to begin in January while Somalia and the AU look for other money1.

The U.N. Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia closed on Saturday after more than three decades, transferring work to the Somali government and U.N. agencies, DW reported2. Somalia is due to hold elections in May 2027, with insecurity still a factor2. Al-Shabab still holds large areas in central and southern Somalia after recapturing ground in recent years2.

Sources

  1. BBCUganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after 20 years
  2. DWUganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after two decades
  3. ReutersUganda says it has started withdrawing troops from Somalia

Read the original at BBC ↗

How it’s being reported

3 sources

First reported by ReutersReuters

BBC

Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after 20 years

The start of a phased AU-mission withdrawal and that bilateral Ugandan troops would remain.

Reports 109 Ugandan soldiers left Mogadishu on Friday after the army chief said a handover to Somali forces had begun, with completion expected in August 2027. BBC News

Leaves out U.S. funding cut for the U.N. logistics office supporting the AU mission.

Read the original

DWDW

Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after two decades

The military statement, U.S. funding pressure on AUSSOM, and the U.N. political mission closing.

Cites a Ugandan military statement that the first returning cohort is already home and that all forces, including those in AUSSOM, are to leave by the end of 2027.

Leaves out The army chief's social-media remarks quoted by other outlets.

Read the original

Where they agree

  • Uganda has started withdrawing troops from Somalia after nearly two decades.
  • About 4,500 Ugandan troops serve under AUSSOM and about 2,000 under bilateral deals.
  • A full AU-mission exit is planned by 2027.
  • Uganda first deployed in 2007 against al-Shabab.

Where they differ

Whether Ugandan troops on bilateral arrangements will also leave.

Side by side

Each outlet's article broken down by our newsroom, in our own words. To read what they wrote, use the button under each one.

BBC

Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after 20 years

The start of a phased AU-mission withdrawal and that bilateral Ugandan troops would remain.

Reports 109 Ugandan soldiers left Mogadishu on Friday after the army chief said a handover to Somali forces had begun, with completion expected in August 2027. BBC News

Leaves out U.S. funding cut for the U.N. logistics office supporting the AU mission.

The start of a phased AU-mission withdrawal and that bilateral Ugandan troops would remain.

What it reports

  • First group of 109 Uganda People's Defence Forces soldiers left Mogadishu on Friday.
  • Army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba said last week the pullout had started.
  • Phased withdrawal is expected to finish in August 2027.
  • About 4,500 troops serve under the AU mission and about 2,000 under bilateral arrangements.
  • BBC said troops on the separate bilateral deployment would stay.

Leaves out U.S. funding cut for the U.N. logistics office supporting the AU mission.

Read the original at BBC Read the full article at BBC
DWDW

Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after two decades

The military statement, U.S. funding pressure on AUSSOM, and the U.N. political mission closing.

Cites a Ugandan military statement that the first returning cohort is already home and that all forces, including those in AUSSOM, are to leave by the end of 2027.

Leaves out The army chief's social-media remarks quoted by other outlets.

The military statement, U.S. funding pressure on AUSSOM, and the U.N. political mission closing.

What it reports

  • A Ugandan military statement said the first cohort of a phased withdrawal has arrived back in Uganda.
  • Kampala said it will gradually withdraw all forces in Somalia, including AUSSOM, by the close of 2027.
  • About 4,500 Ugandan troops are in AUSSOM and about 2,000 under bilateral agreements.
  • AUSSOM funding is in doubt after a U.S. decision to end support for a U.N. logistics office.
  • The U.N. Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia closed on Saturday.

Leaves out The army chief's social-media remarks quoted by other outlets.

Read the original at DW Read the full article at DW