Somalia’s president seeks second Uganda visit in two weeks

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has requested a one-day visit to Kampala to meet President Yoweri Museveni, in a move that would take him to Uganda for the second time in a fortnight, The Somali Stream reported on Sunday.

The request reflects Mogadishu’s continued efforts to secure security and diplomatic support from Uganda. During Mohamud’s visit in late October, he asked Museveni to delay the withdrawal of Ugandan troops deployed under a bilateral agreement. Those forces have been holding key strategic towns in the Lower Shabelle region. The appeal was rejected and the drawdown has already started.

It is not clear whether Mohamud would repeat the same request if the visit is approved, or whether he would raise other issues. Uganda has been one of the largest troop contributors to African Union missions in Somalia since 2007 and maintains a separate bilateral presence in sensitive areas.

The latest outreach comes as Mohamud’s government faces a Supreme Court ruling that the extension of his term was unlawful. The court found that constitutional amendments lengthening presidential and parliamentary terms could not be applied to sitting officials whose original mandates had already expired.

Separately, Mohamud has sent two special advisers to several countries to seek financial support from key African Union and European Union partners. The diplomatic efforts form part of a broader campaign to bolster his administration amid the political and security challenges facing Somalia.

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