Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Kampala, Uganda, on Thursday afternoon, where he held bilateral talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ahead of the high-level summit of troop-contributing countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the long-standing partnership between Somalia and Uganda, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation in security, defense, and state institution-building.

They also reviewed ongoing joint efforts to combat Al-Shabaab, stressing the importance of regional collaboration in addressing security threats across the Horn of Africa.

The meeting also focused on the upcoming AUSSOM summit, where leaders are expected to discuss the future of the African Union mission, regional security cooperation, and strategies to strengthen Somalia’s security institutions as the country gradually assumes greater responsibility for its own defense.

The summit comes at a critical time for AUSSOM, which is facing growing financial uncertainty following a decline in international donor support.

The mission has also been affected by the United States’ decision to end funding for the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) after December 2026, raising concerns over the long-term sustainability of logistical support for African Union peacekeepers.

Uganda remains one of the largest troop-contributing countries to the African Union mission in Somalia and has played a central role in counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab for nearly two decades.

Kampala has consistently supported Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its national security institutions while working alongside regional and international partners to improve stability.

The outcomes of the Kampala summit are expected to shape the next phase of AUSSOM by addressing long-term financing, operational coordination, and Somalia’s security transition, as regional leaders seek to ensure continued support for the country’s stabilization and state-building efforts.