The Ugandan Parliament has approved the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to Gaza as part of US President Donald Trump’s proposed international stabilization force.
The motion, tabled by Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka, sought Parliament’s approval under the Constitution and the UPDF Act to deploy Ugandan troops to support efforts to restore peace and facilitate humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
During a plenary sitting last Thursday, Minister Kiwanuka said the deployment was in line with Uganda’s constitutional obligations and international commitments, and stressed that the proposed mission would operate under strict humanitarian principles.
“The UPDF contingent will remain neutral, comply with International humanitarian law, protect civilians without taking sides in political disputes, and operate solely under the mandate of the Stabilization Mission,” he said.
Several legislators questioned the move, arguing that there was inadequate risk assessment
Although Parliament eventually approved the deployment, several legislators questioned the manner in which the motion had been introduced, or argued that there was not enough risk assessment.
The Chief Opposition Whip, Paul Mwiru, representing the Leader of the Opposition, asked for more time to address the motion. He expressed concern that Parliament was being asked to make a decision with significant consequences.
Joseph Ssewungu similarly said the Opposition had not been given adequate opportunity to prepare: “I am not supporting your motion, because it is an ambush on us.”
John Baptist Nambeshe (NUP, Manjiya County) supported Uganda’s participation in peacekeeping operations but said Parliament should first receive reports on ongoing deployments in countries including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan before approving another mission.
'It is very difficult to distinguish between combatants and civilians'
Nashembe also said that Gaza presented unique operational risks because “it is urban warfare and it becomes very difficult to distinguish between combatants and civilians.”
“The matter of deploying our soldiers to a very risky place like Gaza, where Israel strikes every now and again, cannot be just casually passed here. We have to prepare enough,” said Patrick Nsamba.
However, UPDF representative Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko dismissed suggestions that the force was unprepared for the mission and added that Uganda should take pride in the international recognition accorded to the UPDF.
“You should be very, very proud as Ugandans that Uganda People’s Defense Forces is viewed as the anchor of stability in a sea of turbulence regionally and now globally,” he said.
Maj. Gen. David Gonyi (UPDF) said Uganda had both a moral and diplomatic obligation to support the mission.
“We cannot be in this House... and want to live in a peaceful country, not to support the deployment of the UPDF to go and help members of the community that lives in the Gaza Strip to have at least some semblance of peace,” Gonyi said.