Uganda to withdraw AMISOM troops in 2017

A senior military spokesman has announced Uganda’s plans to withdraw its troops from Somalia before the end of 2017 without giving any official reasons.

Ugandan troops make up about one third of the 22.000 African Union Mission to Somalia, AMISOM.

Officials have added that there are plans to also withdraw the country’s troops from the Central African Republic.

Uganda deployed its troops to Somalia in 2007 as part of the African Union mandated AMISOM force to fight against the militant group al-Shabab.

Al-shabaab had attacked Kampala in 2010 killing 76 people in a move seen as pay back for Uganda’s involvement in fighting the terrorist group.

Although been pushed out of its strongholds by AMISOM troops, the militant group remains a deadly threat.

Apart from assisting the Federal government of Somalia in ensuring stability, the AU mission in Somalia also trains hundreds of Somali soldiers on how to fight terrorism.