Uganda approves deployment of military forces to Gaza
The Ugandan parliament approved the deployment of a military force as part of a peacekeeping mission in the Gaza Strip, following a personal request from Donald Trump to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. "We excel at peacekeeping missions in Somalia and Congo, we will handle the mission," said a military spokesperson.
Uganda has given initial approval for the deployment of military personnel for a proposed international peacekeeping mission in Gaza. The decision follows a direct request from US President Donald Trump to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
According to last week's issue of the government newspaper, "New Vision," President Trump requested Uganda's support in establishing an international force in Gaza aimed at ending the chaos, protecting civilians, and accelerating humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the Strip.
Uganda and Israel maintain close ties, with a statue of Yoni Netanyahu, who fell during the hostage rescue in the country, inaugurated last week at Entebbe Airport on the direct initiative of Ugandan Army Commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The report noted that President Trump submitted the request to President Museveni as part of his "Peace Council" to help establish the International Stabilization Force (ISF) that will help maintain order on the ground.
The Peace Council is an international body established to oversee the management and reconstruction of Gaza after a "ceasefire." The Council, officially established at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026, chaired by Trump, has recently focused on establishing humanitarian pilot zones in Gaza. President Museveni, according to reports, approved the request affirmatively.
While state media confirmed Museveni's open response, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) have yet to finalize the size of the deployment force, their specific areas of responsibility, or the timeline for the mission.
Colonel Chris Magezi, acting director of public information for the Ugandan Armed Forces, noted that the military is awaiting official strategic directives from the presidency before taking action.
"We are waiting to receive instructions from the Commander-in-Chief, President Yoweri Museveni. If the President gives strategic directives, he will direct the Uganda People's Defence Forces to act accordingly, and we will act. We have a very strong track record in regional peacekeeping and stabilization missions. We are in Somalia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we were in the Central African Republic. We do not lack experience in managing peacekeeping and stabilization operations," said Colonel Magezi.
The planned International Stabilization Force (ISF) is part of a broader US-led initiative, supported by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted in November 2025. The mission, under the supervision of American General Jasper Jeffers, is intended to secure Gaza, protect its civilian population, facilitate humanitarian aid, and assist in reconstruction. The plan envisions a force of 20,000 international troops working alongside 12,000 local Palestinian police officers.
