Parliament of Uganda on Thursday approved a motion authorizing the deployment of a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent to the Gaza Strip. The troops will join an International Stabilization Force (ISF) following an invitation extended by the United States.
The plenary session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, supported the decision of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to contribute to the international effort aiming to monitor ceasefire arrangements, eliminate terrorist elements, and protect civilians in the conflict-torn region.
Presenting the motion, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Kiryowa Kiwanuka cited Uganda’s constitutional framework and international peacekeeping legacy as primary drivers for the mission.
“Uganda has a strong army with capable organisation structures which have enabled Uganda to successfully support peace operations, notably the African Mission in Somalia-now African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)-South Sudan, Central African Republic, and various United Nations peacekeeping missions,” Mr Kiwanuka stated, referencing the text of the motion.
The Defence Minister highlighted that the deployment aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) and President Donald Trump’s diplomatic outreach to President Museveni. The mission aims to support a transitional administration-the Board of Peace (BoP)-working alongside partners like Morocco to operate in areas outside Israeli military control.
Mr Kiwanuka emphasized the broader strategic goal of the deployment: “Uganda’s participation as part of the International Stabilization Force will aid in preventing further conflict in the region… guarantee an ample opportunity for the antagonizing sides to plan for ushering in peace, [and] contribute to the elimination of terrorist cells that have greatly contributed to international terrorism.”
He assured the House that the UPDF will adhere strictly to international legal standards. “Throughout its period of deployment, the UPDF will remain neutral, comply with International Humanitarian Law, protect civilians without taking sides in political disputes, and operate under clearly defined rules of engagement,” the motion noted.
The decision drew strong reactions across the political divide in the House. UPDF Representative Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko welcomed the resolution, framing it as a moment of national pride.
‘We are not going there to dance; we are going there to confront threats against society and humanity. We should be proud of this,’ Maj. Gen. Masiko told the House, describing the mission as an honorable humanitarian task.
However, opposition lawmakers raised concerns regarding parliamentary procedure, operational transparency, and troop welfare.
Mr Joseph Ssewungu, the Shadow Minister for Defence, criticized the timing of the proposal, describing the motion as an “ambush” and requesting additional time to properly digest and respond to the details.
Acting President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Manjiya County MP John Baptist Nambeshe voiced conditional support, insisting that Parliament must evaluate past deployments before embarking on new ones.
‘We need to know whether we are doing well before we release our troops to the risky Gaza Strip,’ Mr Nambeshe urged, calling for a comprehensive performance report on previous UPDF peacekeeping missions.
Troop welfare and financial facilitation also dominated the floor debate.
MP Peter Okot (Tochi County) cautioned against past administrative missteps: ‘Our sons and daughters need to be treated well after such international deployments. Previously, they have complained about their facilitation package being withheld.’
Echoing these concerns, Mr James Waluswaka (Bunyole West) issued a sharp warning against any financial mismanagement regarding the peacekeepers: ‘We want to warn those people who will attempt to tamper with the emoluments of the UPDF soldiers deployed to the Gaza Strip that it won’t be business as usual.’
Despite the floor debates, the House voted to adopt the motion, officially granting parliamentary authorization under Section 38 of the UPDF Act for the troops to prepare for deployment.
UPDF peace missions
UPDF have a long-standing history as one of Africa’s most active troop-contributing militaries to peace support, peacekeeping, and regional stabilization missions, predominantly under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
Uganda’s most prominent peacekeeping commitment remains in Somalia, where UPDF soldiers serve under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU). Ugandan contingents protect critical infrastructure in Mogadishu and conduct operations against Al-Shabaab insurgents to foster long-term stability. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UPDF forces are deployed in joint stabilization and counter-insurgency operations, most notably Operation Shujaa, aimed at neutralizing the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in the volatile eastern region.
Meanwhile, Ugandan military personnel maintain a security presence in South Sudan under bilateral and regional peace initiatives designed to restore stability and protect key trade corridors. Beyond East Africa, the UPDF maintains a military training and mentoring mission in Equatorial Guinea and has previously contributed to peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic.