By An unverified video circulating on social media has sparked renewed debate about the fate of Ugandan soldiers deployed to Somalia, after a man identifying himself as a UPDF sergeant claimed he has been held captive by al-Shabaab for more than two years.
In the footage, the man gives his name as Sergeant Muhindo Kikoba William and alleges that he was captured while serving in Somalia. He accuses the Ugandan government and the military of abandoning him and describes harsh conditions in captivity. The video has not been independently authenticated, and the UPDF had not publicly confirmed the identity or status of the individual by press time.
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The video’s circulation comes against the backdrop of one of the deadliest attacks on Ugandan forces in recent years. On 26 May 2023, al-Shabaab launched a large-scale assault on a UPDF forward operating base at Buulo Mareer in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, where Ugandan troops were serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Ugandan authorities later confirmed that dozens of soldiers were killed in the attack before the base was retaken by UPDF reinforcements. Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed and captured a larger number of troops, though such figures were widely disputed and viewed as exaggerated for propaganda purposes.
Following the Buulo Mareer assault, the UPDF said all surviving soldiers had been accounted for, while investigations were launched into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Some commanders were subsequently questioned or arrested as part of internal military processes.
Historically, al-Shabaab has released videos of captured African peacekeepers, including Ugandan soldiers, after major attacks on military bases in Somalia. In previous cases, such footage was later confirmed to be part of the group’s information warfare strategy.
Military has on various occasions cautioned the public against drawing conclusions from unverified online content, stressing that any claims involving missing or captured soldiers require official confirmation through established channels.
Uganda has maintained a military presence in Somalia since 2007, arguing that the deployment is critical to regional security and the fight against terrorism. The latest video has nonetheless reignited public concern over the risks faced by Ugandan troops and the unresolved questions surrounding casualties and captives from past engagements.
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