Resulting in the death of several Ugandan soldiers, the attack seriously disrupted the control of pro-government forces over the Lower Shebelle region in Somalia, eventually leading to the fall of the strategically significant town of Leego to al-Shabaab.

[2] Much of Lower Shebelle, including Golweyn, was conquered from al-Shabaab by AMISOM and the Somali Armed Forces (SNAF) during Operation Indian Ocean in 2014, and had been secured by the Ugandan military since the deadly insurgent attack on the Burundian garrison of Leego in 2015.

According to Lower Shebelle's deputy governor Ali Nur Mohamed, however, the SNAF units in his region have been weakened by factionalization, infighting and desertation.

[4][2][3] As the UPDF/SNAF forces entered the village of Golweyn,[2] near Bulo Marer, an improvised explosive device on the road hit the convoy, whereupon heavily armed al-Shabaab fighters launched their assault.

[2] On 6 July, the AMISOM high command reportedly assured Lower Shebelle's government that the Ethiopian military would soon send new troops in order to reconquer Leego.