Museveni Reportedly Warns Mogadishu He Could Withdraw Ugandan Troops from Somalia

MOGADISHU (WDN ) — In a potentially alarming development for Somalia’s security, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly raised the prospect of withdrawing his country’s troops from Somalia, amid growing concern over the country’s security challenges, political deadlock and strained relations with neighbouring states.

Museveni is said to have conveyed his concerns during a sensitive meeting in Kampala with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. According to emerging reports, the Ugandan leader urged his Somali counterpart to reach an agreement with the opposition and improve relations with neighbouring countries, warning about the consequences of the country’s deteriorating political and security situation.

If confirmed, the reported warning would represent a serious challenge for Mogadishu. Uganda has long been a major troop contributor to the African Union’s security operations in Somalia, making any potential withdrawal a matter of considerable concern for the government’s efforts to combat Al-Shabaab.

The reports also suggest that Museveni expressed concern about regional actors he believes have aligned themselves against Somalia. However, the available account does not identify those actors or explain the nature of the alleged alignment.

Emergency Meeting Amid Security Concerns

The reported exchange comes as Somalia’s federal government prepares to hold an extraordinary meeting focused on the country’s security situation and relations with neighbouring states.

The meeting follows renewed fighting in the Bay region, where recent clashes have highlighted the continuing vulnerability of government forces and the wider security challenges facing the country. Reports have also referred to the use of suicide drones, although details surrounding their deployment and the resulting casualties remain unclear.

The timing adds to the significance of the reported warning from Kampala. Somalia is confronting security pressures on the battlefield while political disagreements between the federal government and opposition leaders continue to complicate efforts to establish a broadly accepted political path.

Political Deadlock Becomes a Security Concern

Museveni’s reported message appears to link Somalia’s internal political divisions with the wider regional security environment. His alleged call for dialogue with the opposition suggests concern that unresolved political disputes could undermine stability at a time when the country remains dependent on international and regional security assistance.

For Mogadishu, the potential implications extend beyond relations with Uganda. Any reduction in Ugandan troop support could place additional pressure on an already difficult security campaign, depending on the scale, timing and operational circumstances of a withdrawal.

However, no official confirmation of Museveni’s reported proposal has been provided in the material available for this report. It is therefore unclear whether he formally threatened to withdraw troops, raised the possibility as a warning, or discussed a broader reassessment of Uganda’s military commitment.

The reported meeting nevertheless highlights the stakes facing Somalia’s leadership: political reconciliation, regional diplomacy and the fight against Al-Shabaab are increasingly intertwined.

If Museveni has indeed warned that Uganda could pull its troops out, the message to Mogadishu would be difficult to ignore: Somalia’s unresolved political disputes risk becoming an even greater security liability.

The reported troop-withdrawal proposal and details of the Kampala meeting have not been independently verified. The claims are attributed to emerging reports; no direct statement from Museveni or official confirmation from either government was provided in the source material.

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