MOGADISHU, Somalia — July 12, 2026 —Somalia’s federal government has reportedly been seeking to secure an official visit by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Uganda, according to Villa Somalia sources , as Mogadishu continues diplomatic outreach with regional leaders following recent developments affecting international support for foreign forces operating in Somalia.

The reported efforts come amid claims that relations between President Hassan Sheikh and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have become strained in recent months over discussions related to Somalia’s political process and engagement with opposition groups. Neither the Somali nor Ugandan governments have publicly confirmed the claims.

Latest Developments

According to sources within Villa Somalia, Somali officials attempted to arrange an official visit to Uganda while President Hassan Sheikh was undertaking a regional diplomatic tour.

The sources said the broader regional outreach was intended to engage leaders of countries contributing troops to Somalia following Washington’s decision to halt certain support for foreign forces operating in the country. The Somali government has not publicly detailed the objectives of the reported diplomatic initiative, and no official announcement regarding a visit to Uganda has been made.

The report suggests that Somali officials viewed regional consultations as important amid evolving security and diplomatic developments affecting Somalia’s international partners.

Reported Strains Between Mogadishu and Kampala

According to the same sources, relations between President Hassan Sheikh and President Museveni reportedly deteriorated following a meeting on May 10, shortly before the expiration of the Somali president’s constitutional term.

The sources allege that during the discussions, President Museveni encouraged Hassan Sheikh to pursue dialogue with opposition leaders and offered to assist efforts aimed at reaching consensus on Somalia’s electoral process. They further claimed that Museveni was accompanied by his son, who serves in Uganda’s military leadership.

According to the report, several members of the Somali delegation opposed the proposal, a development the sources say led to dissatisfaction on the Ugandan side.

These accounts have not been independently verified, and neither Villa Somalia nor the Ugandan presidency has publicly addressed the reported meeting or its outcome.

Three influential advisers to President Hassan Sheikh, together with one federal cabinet minister described by the sources as closely involved in managing presidential political affairs, have attempted to ease tensions between the two governments.

According to the cited sources, those efforts have so far not produced a breakthrough. No official statements have been issued by the individuals reportedly involved, and the Somali government has not confirmed that such mediation efforts are underway.

Officials in Kampala have likewise not commented publicly on the reported diplomatic contacts.

Government Response

As of Sunday, neither the Federal Government of Somalia nor the Ugandan government had released official statements confirming the reported attempts to organize a presidential visit or addressing claims of strained bilateral relations.

Uganda remains one of Somalia’s longest-standing regional security partners and has contributed troops to successive African Union peace support missions for nearly two decades. Ugandan forces continue to play a significant role in supporting Somali security operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Relations between Mogadishu and Kampala have generally remained cooperative, particularly on security, defense, and regional stability. Leaders from both countries have regularly met through bilateral visits and regional organizations to coordinate efforts on counterterrorism and political cooperation.

The reported diplomatic activity also comes as Somalia continues engaging regional partners over the future of international security support following changes in external assistance and ongoing discussions about the country’s political transition and electoral arrangements.

Political dialogue between Somalia’s federal leadership and opposition figures has remained a recurring issue in recent years, with regional and international partners repeatedly encouraging inclusive consultations aimed at maintaining political stability.

It remains unclear whether an official visit by President Hassan Sheikh to Uganda will take place or whether the reported diplomatic efforts will lead to renewed engagement between the two governments.

Observers are expected to watch for any official announcements from Mogadishu or Kampala that could clarify the status of bilateral relations and any planned high-level meetings.

If confirmed, a future meeting between the two presidents could provide an opportunity to discuss regional security cooperation, Somalia’s political process, and coordination among countries contributing forces to support stability in Somalia.

Uganda is one of Somalia’s most important regional security partners, making the state of relations between the two governments significant for ongoing military cooperation and regional diplomacy. Any change in bilateral engagement could attract attention from other countries participating in Somalia’s security framework.

The reported diplomatic outreach also comes at a time when Somalia is navigating political discussions at home while maintaining coordination with regional allies on security issues. Continued communication between regional leaders could influence future cooperation on both political and security priorities.