Gen Muhoozi Questions West’s Counterterrorism Commitments, Suggests UPDF Review in Somalia

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has delivered a scathing critique of the United States and its Western allies, accusing them of legitimising extremist groups in the Middle East and Horn of Africa.

In a post shared on Wednesday evening by Col Chris Magezi, Gen. Muhoozi claimed that the U.S. and “the collective West” are recognising Al Qaeda in Syria, with Israel allegedly showing no objection.

Col Magezi is Military Assistant to the CDF Gen Muhoozi.

He further asserted that reports have emerged indicating the U.S. has initiated secret negotiations with the Somali-based terror group Al Shabaab.

“The US and the collective West are recognising Al Qaeda in Syria. Even our brothers in Israel seem to be okay with this situation? We even hear that the US has begun secret negotiations with Al Shabaab in Somalia,” Muhoozi wrote.

The four-star general, who also serves as Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, implied these developments call for a fundamental reassessment of Uganda’s role in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

He proposed a “total withdrawal” of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from Somalia, a mission it has been part of for the past 18 years.

“We will implore our great Commander-in-Chief to consider total withdrawal from Somalia after 18 years,” he added.

Uganda was the first country to deploy troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2007, which transitioned into ATMIS in 2022 and now AUSSOM.

The UPDF has played a lead role in fighting Al Shabaab and stabilising key cities including the capital Mogadishu and Kismayo. Uganda is also largest Troop Contributing Country.

However, Gen. Muhoozi’s remarks mark a sharp departure from Uganda’s long-standing commitment to Somalia’s security.

His statements question the commitment of international partners engaged in counterterrorism operations in the region.

It waits to be seen what President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, says on the matter.