Somalia’s efforts to secure Uganda visit for president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stall amid reported rift with Museveni

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s efforts to arrange an official visit by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Uganda during his recent regional diplomatic tour have yet to succeed, with sources familiar with the matter attributing the setback to a reported decline in relations between the Somali and Ugandan leaders, Garowe Online news website reported on Monday.

Sources inside Villa Somalia said the proposed Kampala visit formed part of the president’s tour of countries contributing troops to Somalia. Officials described the regional outreach as an attempt to reinforce political support from troop-contributing states following the United States’ decision to end funding for foreign forces operating in Somalia.

According to the sources, tensions between President Hassan and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni emerged after a meeting on May 10. During the discussions, Museveni reportedly encouraged the Somali president to open dialogue with opposition leaders and offered to assist in facilitating an electoral understanding ahead of Somalia’s political transition.

The sources said Museveni was accompanied by his son, Uganda’s military chief, during the meeting. They alleged that members of the Somali federal delegation dismissed the proposal, a response that reportedly angered both Museveni and his son.

Following the meeting, two of President Hassan’s closest advisers, together with a senior federal minister considered a key ally of the president, have worked to restore relations with Kampala, the sources said. Those efforts, however, have not yet resulted in a breakthrough.

Neither Villa Somalia nor the Ugandan government has issued a public statement regarding the reported attempt to arrange the visit or the alleged disagreement between the two presidents.

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