By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Uganda’s parliament on Thursday voted in favour of sending its soldiers to the Gaza Strip, if the need arises as part of a multinational security force proposed under U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan for the enclave.
Before the vote, Ugandan Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka told lawmakers Trump had, through emissaries, contacted Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni in July seeking Kampala’s contribution to the international force.
An Israeli official said last month people from “friendly countries” including Uganda could join the force if it was deployed.
Thursday’s debate at the parliament was the first time Uganda itself had publicly acknowledged it might take part in the proposed military operation.
After a fragile ceasefire deal was reached in October, Trump set out a peace plan for Gaza that provided for an increase in humanitarian aid, civilian administration by Palestinian technocrats, Hamas laying down its arms and Israeli forces withdrawing.
The plan has stalled and the group of technocrats, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza has remained outside Gaza.
Under the plan, an International Stabilization Force is envisioned deploying in areas that are not under Israeli control. It is unclear when any such force will deploy.
Uganda has a history of participating in international peacekeeping and enforcement efforts and currently has contingents deployed in several countries including Somalia, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Following the invitation by His Excellency Donald Trump … the President of the Republic of Uganda, is ready to deploy in the Gaza Strip the desired Uganda People’s Defense Forces contingent,” the Minister told lawmakers.
During the debate, some lawmakers asked about the legal arrangement that would govern the deployment. Kiwanuka said a status of forces agreement would be signed after the approval.
Several parts of Gaza remain in ruins from two years of full-scale war, sparked by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
