Uganda has issued a sharp warning over its continued military presence in Somalia, with President Yoweri Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, signalling that Ugandan troops could be withdrawn if funding issues remain unresolved.
General Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), said Kampala may reconsider its role in the fight against the Al-Shabaab militant group unless urgent agreement is reached on financing the mission. He cautioned that a pullout could take place before the end of the year if talks fail to progress.
In comments shared on social media on Wednesday, February 4, the general argued that Uganda’s contribution to regional security cannot be sustained without external financial backing.
He asserted that the United States must step in to guarantee funding, stating that the UPDF requires about KSh129 billion (approximately USD 1 billion) each year to maintain its operations in Somalia.