Uganda has called on Belgium to sustain its support for the African Union’s peace and stabilization efforts in Somalia as the two countries seek to deepen defence cooperation amid growing security challenges across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa regions.
Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka made the appeal during a meeting with Belgian Ambassador Hugues Chantry at the Joint Defence headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, where the two sides reviewed bilateral military relations and Uganda’s ongoing deployments in conflict-affected countries.
A key issue during the discussions was the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), where Uganda remains one of the major troop-contributing countries. Kiwanuka stressed the importance of continued international backing to ensure the mission can effectively confront security threats and consolidate progress against Al-Shabaab.
The appeal comes as concerns grow over the long-term financing and logistical sustainability of AUSSOM. In April, the European Union approved an additional €75 million for the mission’s military component, targeting troop allowances, non-lethal equipment and other essential services. EU support to successive AU-led missions in Somalia has reached nearly €2.8 billion since 2007.
Uganda has repeatedly warned that financial and logistical constraints could undermine efforts to maintain security gains in Somalia. At an extraordinary AUSSOM summit held in Kampala in July, regional leaders and military officials examined measures to keep the mission operational amid declining international logistical support and persistent financial challenges.
Kiwanuka also emphasized that military intervention alone would not be enough to deliver lasting peace in the region. He called for greater attention to the political and economic conditions driving conflicts, arguing that sustainable stability requires coordinated security measures alongside socio-economic development and political commitment.
Ambassador Chantry commended Uganda for its contribution to peace and security efforts in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo and reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to supporting regional stability. Uganda has maintained troops in Somalia since 2007, serving under successive African Union missions before the transition to AUSSOM in January 2025.
The meeting also took place as insecurity continues in eastern DRC, where Ugandan forces are operating under Operation Shujaa against Allied Democratic Forces militants. Chantry was accompanied by outgoing Defence Attaché Col Michel Recour, incoming Defence Attaché Col Wendy Janssens and 2Lt Eva de Gelder, while Uganda’s delegation included Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba and other senior defence officials.
