The Uganda People's Defence Forces, or UPDF, announced on Nov. 2 that it had begun a phased withdrawal from Somalia after nearly 20 years of military involvement, with the first contingent of 109 troops reportedly departing Mogadishu on Oct. 30, AP reported the same day. Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi said troops deployed under bilateral security arrangements with the Somali federal government would leave within days, while the remaining forces, including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, are expected to withdraw by the end of 2027.