Somalia’s Election Crisis: What Lies Behind Hassan Sheikh’s Uganda Trip?

MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud whose presidential term expired in May 2026 travelled to Uganda hours after inviting opposition groups and the leaders of the semi-autonomous states of Puntland and Jubaland to talks next month aimed at addressing a deepening dispute over federal elections.

The timing of the trip comes as political and constitutional tensions intensify in Somalia, particularly over the president’s term in office and the country’s electoral system.

During a meeting in Entebbe in August 2026, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reportedly pressed Hassan Sheikh to engage with Somali opposition groups and seek a negotiated settlement to the country’s growing political crisis.

Museveni was also reported to have warned that Uganda could withdraw its troops from Somalia if the government failed to reach an agreement with political stakeholders opposed to its proposed electoral system.

The opposition has accused the administration of pursuing an electoral framework that has deepened political divisions and created uncertainty over the country’s democratic transition.

Uganda is a major troop contributor to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which supports Somali security forces in their fight against Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.

Kampala is concerned that a prolonged political deadlock in Mogadishu could distract the government and security institutions from counterinsurgency operations and undermine the stability of the African Union mission.

Although the Somali presidency has not publicly confirmed that the latest trip is directly linked to the election dispute or Uganda’s reported concerns, its timing has drawn attention to Kampala’s potential role in efforts to ease the political crisis.

Museveni has reportedly urged Somali leaders to engage in inclusive dialogue, stressing the need for a political settlement that would allow the country to maintain its security gains and strengthen state institutions.

Uganda has also emphasised the importance of building a capable Somali national army that can eventually assume full responsibility for the country’s security as African Union forces withdraw. The transition is part of broader plans to transfer security duties to Somali forces by 2027.

Museveni has expressed concern that Ugandan troops could face continued risks while Somali political leaders remain divided over the distribution of power and the electoral process.

Uganda has played a central role in international security efforts in Somalia for years, with its troops forming a key part of the African Union’s military presence.

The political dispute therefore carries implications beyond the electoral process, potentially affecting the fight against Al-Shabaab and plans to transfer security responsibilities to Somali forces.

Hassan Sheikh’s invitation to opposition leaders and the subsequent trip to Uganda come at a sensitive moment for Somalia, as efforts to reach an agreement over elections face competing political demands and uncertainty over the country’s constitutional future.

GAROWE ONLINE