Uganda's military presence in Somalia stretches back to 2007, nearly two decades of standing alongside Somali forces against the al-Shabaab militant group. Now, after all that time, Uganda has begun pulling its troops home.
The withdrawal marks the end of a significant chapter, not just for Uganda, but for the broader regional effort to stabilize Somalia. Uganda was among the earliest and most committed contributors to that mission, arriving when few others were willing to step in.
What this means for the ongoing fight against al-Shabaab remains the big question. As one of the longest-serving forces in the conflict, Uganda's exit will be felt, and all eyes are now on who, or what, fills that gap.
Originally published by BBC Africa.