Hassan Sheikh Reportedly Fails to Secure Museveni’s Commitment to Keep Ugandan Troops in Somalia

ENTEBBE, Uganda— Former Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who made a one-day official visit to Uganda, reportedly failed to persuade Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to commit to keeping his country’s troops in Somalia for an extended period.

Hassan Sheikh met Museveni on Monday, October 26, at State House Entebbe, where discussions focused on Somalia’s security situation, the fight against Al-Shabaab and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to a statement issued by the Ugandan presidency, Hassan Sheikh thanked Museveni for Uganda’s contribution to Somalia’s security and expressed hope that Ugandan troops would remain in the country longer. However, no new commitment regarding the extension of Uganda’s military presence was announced following the meeting.

During the talks, Museveni criticised Somalia’s political divisions, arguing that the country’s problems stem from ideological differences and a failure to correctly identify its underlying challenges.

“The problem of Somalia is ideological and a misdiagnosis of problems,” Museveni said.

The Ugandan president urged Somali leaders and citizens to unite in the fight against Al-Shabaab, warning that political divisions could allow a small minority to continue undermining the country’s stability.

“Unite the many to defeat the few,” Museveni said, emphasising the importance of political organisation and national unity.

Hassan Sheikh’s visit came amid reports that Uganda was reconsidering the future of its military deployment in Somalia. Museveni had previously expressed concerns over the political disputes between Villa Somalia, opposition leaders and some federal member states.

Uganda is among the largest troop contributors to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and its forces have played a significant role in operations against Al-Shabaab over the years.

The visit also came just hours after Hassan Sheikh announced plans for a national consultative conference, inviting opposition leaders and the leadership of Puntland and Jubaland to discussions scheduled for November.

The Entebbe meeting highlighted Museveni’s emphasis on political unity and a coordinated campaign against Al-Shabaab, while Hassan Sheikh sought assurances of continued Ugandan military support.

Although Hassan Sheikh requested an extended presence for Ugandan troops in Somalia, the official account of the meeting did not indicate whether Museveni had accepted the request or whether any new agreement had been reached on the duration of Uganda’s military deployment.

GAROWE ONLINE