Somali President attends Uganda independence celebrations in Mogadishu

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the 64th independence anniversary of Uganda at the Ugandan embassy in Mogadishu. Serving as the chief guest, Mohamud honored Uganda’s long-standing military commitment to Somalia, specifically noting the deployment of Ugandan troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia since 2007.

During the event, Mohamud recalled President Yoweri Museveni’s 1992 visit to Mogadishu as a significant act of solidarity during a period of intense insecurity. Beyond security cooperation, the President expressed a commitment to deepening bilateral ties through trade, investment, and economic development, pledging government support for the more than 20,000 Ugandans currently employed in Somalia.

The celebrations, hosted by Ambassador Prof Sam Turyamuhika, were attended by senior officials, diplomats, and members of the Ugandan diaspora. Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, also addressed the gathering, reflecting on Uganda’s progress since gaining independence in 1962.