Uganda has started withdrawing its troops from Somalia, ending a military presence that began nearly two decades ago.

Uganda's acting army spokesperson Chris Magezi confirmed on Monday that the first group of troops deployed through a bilateral arrangement had already returned home, with more expected to follow within days.

Magezi said all Ugandan forces, including those serving under the African Union mission, would exit Somalia by the end of 2027 in a phased withdrawal.

A first contingent of 109 Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) troops reportedly left the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Friday, following an announcement by Uganda's army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Last week, Kainerugaba said Uganda had begun pulling out its forces and would hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces.

"As we promised, we have started withdrawing UPDF from Somalia. After 20 years of a lot of blood and sacrifice, we are handing over security to our Somali brothers," he wrote on X.

Magezi said the withdrawal would mark the end of Uganda's operations in the Horn of Africa country, with Somalia expected to "assume full responsibility for security."

The withdrawal follows a meeting in Kampala last week between Somali President Sheikh Mohamud and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The talks were intended to cover Somalia's security situation, as well as trade and economic ties between the two countries.

The Somali president reportedly sought to persuade Uganda to extend its military presence. During the visit, Museveni urged Somali leaders and citizens to unite in the fight against the militant insurgency led by al-Shabab.

Uganda was the first African country to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), established in 2007 to help protect the country's transitional government. After their initial deployment, Ugandan forces played a key role in driving al-Shabab out of Mogadishu and other major towns, fighting alongside the Somali National Army to recapture strategic territory and secure key government installations.

Ugandan troops served through successive African Union missions, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which aimed to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somali forces.

ATMIS was replaced in 2025 by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), focused on strengthening Somalia's security institutions and preparing its forces to assume full responsibility for the country's security.

An estimated 4,500 troops are currently in Somalia under the African Union mission, alongside approximately 2,000 deployed through bilateral arrangements.

AUSSOM now faces uncertainty over its future funding, amid plans to wind down support from the United States and the United Nations. A 12-month transition plan is due to begin in January, giving Somalia and the African Union time to seek alternative funding sources.

Somalia has been battling a prolonged insurgency for more than two decades.