06.08.2026 23:11
The Parliament of Uganda has approved the army to serve within the International Stability Force planned to be established in Gaza. While the number of troops and the timeline were not disclosed, the decision caused debates in parliament. The opposition argued that it is unclear on whose side the Ugandan army would serve in Gaza, while the past pro-Israel remarks of Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, known for his insolent statements targeting Turkey, have also come back to the agenda.
The Ugandan Parliament has adopted a motion regarding the deployment of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) under the International Stability Force envisioned to be established in Gaza.
While it was stated that Israel approved the entry of a limited number of troops from "friendly countries" into Gaza, the number of soldiers Uganda will send, the scope of the mission, and the deployment timeline were not disclosed.
"WHICH SIDE WILL OUR ARMY FIGHT ON?" Opposition lawmakers, voicing their concerns about the motion adopted at the 14th session of Parliament, demanded an explanation for Uganda's rationale for joining the mission.
Lawmaker Hassan Kirumira noted that the deployment could raise "diplomatic concerns" for Uganda, a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and said, "The real question is, which side will our army fight on?"
Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka, on the other hand, defended the deployment, pointing to the experience the Ugandan army has gained from peacekeeping missions in various countries, including Somalia.
Hassan Kirumira HE HAD SAID, "BECAUSE WE ARE CHRISTIANS, WE STAND WITH ISRAEL" The opposition argued that the pro-Israel statements of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, raised questions about the neutrality of the army.
General Kainerugaba, known for his insolent statements targeting Turkey, made the statement "Because we are Christians, we stand with Israel" during the period when tensions escalated between Israel and Iran, and stated that they were ready to send troops to defend Israel if requested.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba KAINERUGABA HAD UNVEILED A STATUE OF NETANYAHU'S BROTHER After their diplomatic relations were re-established in 1994, Uganda and Israel developed cooperation, particularly in the fields of security and military training.
On August 1st, Kainerugaba unveiled a statue of Yonatan Netanyahu, the brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was killed while leading the 1976 Israeli raid, at Entebbe Airport.
The statue, erected to commemorate his "courage and sacrifice," had sparked controversy because many Ugandan soldiers were killed in the raid and the operation was seen as a violation of the country's sovereignty.