Uganda authorises Gaza troop deployment under disarmament plan

Kampala, Uganda: The Ugandan military has officially authorized the deployment of soldiers to the Gaza Strip as part of an international stabilization force (ISF) under a disarmament agreement concluded in late July. This move comes as part of a plan orchestrated by the Board of Peace, an entity established by former US President Donald Trump to facilitate the post-war era.

The Ugandan Parliament approved the decision, endorsed by President Yoweri Museveni, to send the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) to Gaza for a peacekeeping mission. General Henry Matsiko, a prominent military figure, expressed pride in the UPDF's reputation as a stabilizing force both locally and internationally.

Four additional countries—Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, and Kazakhstan—have signaled their intention to join the ISF. The force's primary objective would be to establish a secure humanitarian zone capable of accommodating tens of thousands of Palestinians, subject to stringent vetting procedures. This would enable Palestinians to freely enter and exit the designated area, although concerns regarding the concept of a closed humanitarian zone have been raised within the humanitarian community.

While the Ugandan Parliament approved the deployment, opposition emerged from some members of parliament. MP Karim Masaba criticized the move, stating that allowing Ugandan soldiers to operate in a volatile region like Gaza is a significant risk, particularly given Israel's history of targeted strikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on July 31, reaffirmed Israel's stance, asserting that the country had not accepted the latest roadmap for Gaza, even after receiving assurances that Israeli forces would only withdraw following Hamas's disarmament.

Despite the support from the Ugandan leadership and the international community, the decision has not been without controversy. The president's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has staunchly supported Israel in recent months, posted a message on X in January, expressing solidarity with Israel, stating, "Israel is in our blood... We will always stand by our brethren in Israel."

Kainerugaba also inaugurated a statue of Yoni Netanyahu, the elder brother of the current Israeli Prime Minister, who was killed during the Entebbe raid in 1976. This historical connection has further fueled the debate surrounding Uganda's decision to engage in a peacekeeping mission in Gaza.