Mogadishu, Somalia – The Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, arrived in Mogadishu on Saturday for a high-level visit aimed at strengthening military cooperation and assessing Uganda’s role in the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Upon arrival at Aden Adde International Airport, Lt. Gen. Okiding was warmly received by senior Somali National Army (SNA) officials and representatives from the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). His visit underscores Uganda’s enduring commitment to Somalia’s security and stability.
Uganda has been the leading troop-contributing country to the AU mission in Somalia since the deployment of AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces in 2007. Over the years, it has maintained a dominant presence through AMISOM, its successor AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and now AUSSOM, which was recently approved by the AU as part of a broader transition strategy.
Lt. Gen. Okiding’s visit is expected to include meetings with Somali military leaders, AU mission commanders, and international partners. Discussions are likely to focus on the ongoing security transition, joint operations against Al-Shabaab, and the phased handover of security responsibilities to Somali forces.
The visit comes at a critical time as Somalia continues its efforts to build a professional, self-reliant national army and stabilize areas recovered from insurgent control. Uganda’s sustained military engagement remains vital to these objectives.
AUSSOM, which is set to operate with a reduced force of under 12,000 troops, aims to continue supporting Somalia’s security institutions while facilitating long-term peacebuilding initiatives.