Uganda’s national Parliament approved a government motion to deploy a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent to the Gaza Strip as part of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), following an invitation from the United States.
The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, tabled the motion during the 14th sitting of the 1st meeting of the 1st session of the 12th Parliament, chaired by Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa.
Kiwanuka moved the motion under Section 38 of the UPDF Act, Cap.330, and Rule 61(1)(k) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, 2025, SI No. 43 of 2025.
He mentioned that Article 210 (d) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda mandates parliament to make laws regulating the UPDF, including the deployment of troops outside Uganda.
He added that Section 38 of the UPDF Act provides that “the President may deploy troops outside Uganda for purposes of peace keeping or enforcement with the approval of parliament.”
Giving background, the minister recalled that on 7 October 2023, Hamas and allied groups launched an attack into Southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign that has caused “mayhem in Gaza strip”.
“The current Israel-Palestine conflict is rooted to more than a century of competing national movements, disputed territory, repeated wars and failed peace efforts that has led to extensive destruction in the Gaza Strip, a very high death toll, mass displacement and severe humanitarian crisis requiring immediate intervention to protect civilians and allow for increased humanitarian access in the parts affected directly by the conflict,” noted minister Kiryowa.
He told MPs that at its 10,046th meeting on 17 November 2025, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2803(2025), which welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace (BoP) as a transitional administration to coordinate redevelopment of Gaza, until the Palestine Authority completes its reform programme.
He said Resolution 2803 (2025) calls upon member states and international organisations to work with the BoP to identify opportunities that contribute personnel, equipment and financial resources to its operating entities and to give full recognition to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) acts and documents,” said the minister.
According to the minister in July 2026 President Donald John Trump of the USA, through several emissaries, contacted President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni seeking Uganda’s contribution to the ISF by sending a UPDF contingent.
“On various dates within the month of July, 2026, the Republic of Uganda in accordance with section 38 of the UPDF Act , held planning meetings between UPDF senior leadership and officials of the US Embassy in Kampala, as well as with the leadership of Internatioanal Stabilisation Force on the deployment of UPDF contingent to the Gaza Strip.”
The minister said President Museveni is “ready to deploy in the Gaza strip the desired UPDF contingent in accordance with section 38 of the UPDF Act”.
He cited six justifications, including Uganda’s commitment to National Objective XXVII(ii) on participation in organisations that stand for peace, and Uganda’s track record in AUSSOM in Somalia, South Sudan, CAR and UN missions.
“Uganda’s participation as part of the ISF will aid in preventing further conflicts in the region thus contributing to broader international security by reducing risks of renewed armed conflict between isreal and Palestine, preventing extremist group from exploiting instability and sabotage the ceasefire implementation process.”
He further stated that Uganda’s role will include monitoring compliance, supervising security arrangements, supporting demobilisation and “the elimination of terrorist groups that have greatly contributed to internal terrorism that have in the past used the Gaza Strip as a base of operations”.
“We are firmly committed that throughout this 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 engagements; therefore my resolution is that parliament supports the decision of H.E the President to deploy the UPDF in the Gaza Strip for a peace keeping mission in accordance with the constitution of Uganda and section 38 of the UPDF Act, Cap.330,” moved Minister Kiryowa.
The motion was seconded and supported by a majority of MPs.
Maj Gen Henry Masiko, Joint Staff Political Commissariate and UPDF representative in Parliament, said the deployment “will help the force to acquire more skills, and it is in accordance with the UN resolutions”.
He noted that UPDF troops undergo international training at the International Peace Support Operations Training Center in Singo.
“The UPDF is viewed as the anchor of stability in a sea of turbulence, regionally and now globally. the doctrine of the forces is that we go out not to dance but to confront threats against society and humanity,” he elaborated
Maj. Gen. Matsiko termed it as a big respect to Uganda to contribute to an international stabilization force and Uganda would work with superpowers to operate in Gaza. Gen. Matsiko explained that the army is not trained to be in dancing halls, but in the field amidst all kinds of risks to battle it out.
He urged the House to revisit what UPDF found in Mogadishu, an urban situation that was worse than it is in Gaza, today. “We should be very proud that UPDF is viewed as an anchor of peace, and we’ve built capacity,” he explained.
Maj Gen David Gonyi, Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC) Kimaka and Whip of UPDF in Parliament, also backed the motion.
“Uganda submitted a name of a Ugandan to become a Secretary General of United Nation, it will be direct shooting in our own legs to say that Uganda should not participate in UN deployment in Gaza,” he said.
Other MPs who supported the motion included Minister Lydia Wanyoto, Okot Peter, Minister Chris Baryomunsi, Minister Henry Musasizi, James Waluswaka, and Minister Huda Oleru.
After the debate, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa directed Minister Kiwanuka to proceed with the remaining requirements for signing an agreement for the deployment.
Gen. Matsiko stated that UPDF has performed excellently on international peace missions elsewhere, the same they’ll do in Gaza.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa reminded Hon. Sewungu to wait to do deeper scrutiny into the motion when it comes to the Parliamentary Committee of Defence and Internal Affairs!
Lydia Wanyoto-Mutende, the Woman Member of Parliament for Mbale city, argued that Uganda is known for contributing to world order, peace and security. “We should raise our flag very high, proudly to contribute to this exercise which will give us mileage as we seek global support to our candidate for Secretary General of the UN,” she stated
Wanyoto-Mutende, who is also State Minister for Public Service, and has previously worked on a UN-led peace mission in Somalia, strongly supported the proposed UPDF deployment in Gaza, saying it’d be our big opportunity to contribute to yet another international task that shouldn’t be feared but taken up with zeal and enthusiasm.
Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi spoke in support of the motion and disparaged opposition MPs who he accused of opposing everything including contributing to international work.
