KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to Somalia, saying African countries will continue supporting the country’s stabilisation efforts even if international partners reduce or withdraw their support.
Museveni made the remarks Friday, July 31, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the Second Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The three day summit brought together leaders and representatives from Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Egypt and Burundi. It followed meetings of the countries’ military chiefs and defence ministers and focused largely on the future of security operations in Somalia as international support arrangements change.
The summit was held amid concerns over the planned conclusion of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, or UNSOS, on Dec. 31, 2026. UNSOS has provided logistical support to African Union missions in Somalia.
Museveni dismissed concerns that the withdrawal of some Western countries would undermine efforts to stabilise Somalia.
“The group of Western countries pulling out is not a problem. If they want to pull out, they pull out because all the problems we have solved here, we never had any of their direct support,” Museveni said.
“We can manage. That’s what we agreed in the closed session, that Somalia is not going to be abandoned because of some other people outside. Whether these others pull out or not, we shall continue.”
Museveni said Uganda’s involvement in Somalia was based on principle and regional security interests rather than geographical proximity.
“Uganda doesn’t have a border with Somalia. Therefore, we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia out of principle and strategy,” he said.
He said Uganda had rejected the spread of religious extremism in the region, arguing that extremist groups should not be allowed to impose their beliefs on societies with diverse traditions.
Museveni also linked Uganda’s involvement in Somalia to the wider security of the Horn of Africa, including neighbouring Ethiopia. He recalled earlier ideological and security threats that emerged in Sudan and later affected Somalia.
He said African societies had historically accommodated differences in religion, culture and beliefs without seeking to impose one system on others.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf thanked Uganda for its longstanding role in Somalia, describing the country as one of the pillars of Africa’s engagement there for nearly two decades.
Youssouf also paid tribute to African soldiers and police officers who have served under the African Union flag, saying their sacrifices had contributed to progress toward stability in Somalia.
He reaffirmed the African Union Commission’s commitment to mobilising political, diplomatic and financial support for an orderly transition that protects the gains made through previous missions.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked Museveni for convening the summit and recognised Uganda as one of Somalia’s strongest supporters.
The participating Heads of State adopted a joint communiqué reaffirming their commitment to Somalia’s security, stability and long term peace.
The communiqué directed the Foreign Ministers of the troop contributing countries, working with the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Commission, to establish a joint task force to lead diplomatic efforts to secure predictable and sustainable financing for Somalia’s security needs.
The leaders also proposed exploring a donors’ conference to mobilise additional resources.
They stressed the importance of preserving Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, strengthening state institutions, supporting political reconciliation and improving the operational capabilities of Somali and African security forces during the transition.
Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who chaired the meeting of military chiefs, had earlier called for greater unity, creativity and determination to develop African led alternatives as UNSOS prepares to conclude its operations.
Defence ministers subsequently endorsed recommendations from the military chiefs before they were presented to the Heads of State.
The summit highlighted the need to protect nearly two decades of security gains in Somalia, beginning with the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, and continuing through subsequent African Union led missions.
As Somalia moves into a new phase under AUSSOM, African leaders said the future of the country’s security should remain anchored in African ownership, regional cooperation and sustainable support.
