President Museveni has defended the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces’ (UPDF) involvement in Somalia, stating that it is both principled and strategic. The UPDF has been deployed in Somalia as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since 2007. According to Museveni, the UPDF’s presence in Somalia is aimed at restoring stability and security in the region. He argued that the deployment is in line with Uganda’s commitment to regional peace and security, and is also in the country’s strategic interests. The President’s comments come amid criticism from some quarters about the cost and effectiveness of the deployment. However, Museveni maintained that the UPDF’s involvement in Somalia has been successful in degrading the capacity of terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab. He also emphasized that the deployment has provided the UPDF with valuable experience and training, which has improved the country’s military capabilities. The UPDF’s involvement in Somalia has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it has diverted resources away from domestic priorities. However, Museveni’s statement suggests that Uganda is committed to its role in regional peacekeeping efforts, and will continue to support the AMISOM mission in Somalia.
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