Uganda and Somalia are seeking to strengthen security cooperation against Al-Shabaab while expanding bilateral trade, with a proposed coffee warehouse in Somalia expected to give Ugandan exporters more direct access to the market.
The discussions took place on Monday, October 26, 2026, when Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, at State House, Entebbe, during an official visit to Uganda.
The talks focused on Somalia’s security challenges, particularly efforts to defeat the Al-Shabaab insurgency, alongside opportunities to deepen economic cooperation and increase trade between the two countries.
President Museveni said addressing Somalia’s security challenges required a clear understanding of their underlying causes and greater unity among political and social groups, warning that divisions could allow a minority to maintain influence.
“The problem of Somalia is ideological and a misdiagnosis of problems,” Museveni said, drawing comparisons with other African countries, including Sudan, where sectarian approaches to governance have contributed to political divisions and exclusion.
“All the problems you’re talking about, we know them. We need to be organised and stand with the main problem,” he said.
“Unite the many to defeat the few, but some Africans want to annoy the many to stay with the few,” he added.
Museveni emphasised the importance of political organisation and a united approach in addressing the challenges threatening Somalia’s stability.
Uganda reaffirms security support
During the meeting, President Mohamud briefed Museveni on the security situation in Somalia and commended the contribution of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to efforts to restore peace and stability.
Ugandan troops have played a significant role in African Union-led peace support operations in Somalia, working alongside Somali security forces to counter Al-Shabaab, which continues to pose a major threat to the country and the wider Horn of Africa.
Mohamud thanked Uganda for its continued military contribution and support, expressing hope that Ugandan troops would remain in Somalia longer to help achieve full pacification and lasting stability.
The security discussions underscored the importance of sustained regional cooperation as Somalia works to strengthen its security institutions and confront the insurgency.
Beyond defence cooperation, the Somali President also praised Uganda for its hospitality towards Somali nationals living, studying and conducting business in the country.
Somalia’s Ambassador to Uganda, Fardowsa Mohamed Qanyare, told the meeting that approximately 8,000 Somalis operate businesses in Uganda, while about 15,000 Somali students are pursuing studies at Ugandan universities.
The figures highlight the growing people-to-people and commercial links between the two countries, providing a foundation for stronger economic partnerships.
Uganda targets direct coffee exports to Somalia
The two leaders also explored opportunities to expand bilateral trade, with particular emphasis on improving access for Ugandan products to the Somali market.
Museveni welcomed Somalia’s decision to allow Uganda to establish a warehouse in the country through which processed Ugandan coffee would be marketed and sold.
The proposed facility is expected to give Ugandan coffee exporters a more direct route to Somali consumers, potentially reducing reliance on intermediaries and improving market access.
Nelson Tugume, who recently returned from Somalia, told the two presidents that Somalia imports coffee from European countries, with Ugandan coffee reportedly passing through other markets before reaching Somali consumers.
Establishing a warehouse in Somalia could help Ugandan suppliers strengthen their presence in the market, improve distribution and build closer commercial relationships with local buyers.
For Uganda, the initiative presents an opportunity to expand coffee exports and capture more value from its agricultural products by connecting producers and processors more directly with overseas consumers.
For Somalia, closer trade ties could diversify sourcing channels and create opportunities for distribution, retail and other related businesses.
The proposed arrangement also reflects a broader effort to complement security cooperation with economic partnerships, recognising that stronger commercial ties can support closer relations between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Haruna Kasolo; Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire; and Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Prof. Sam Tulya-Muhika.
