On August 6, 2026, Uganda's parliament approved deploying military forces to Gaza as part of a proposed 20,000-strong International Stabilization Force under U.S. President Donald Trump's postwar plan. Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka revealed that Trump requested the deployment from President Yoweri Museveni in July. While the ruling party cited Uganda's extensive peacekeeping experience, opposition lawmakers raised concerns over diplomatic friction with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and troop welfare.
Uganda troop deployment approval
- ▪Ugandan Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka stated that a Status of Forces Agreement would be negotiated and signed before any Ugandan troops are deployed to the Gaza Strip.
- ▪Ugandan Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka told lawmakers that U.S. President Donald Trump, through emissaries, approached President Yoweri Museveni in July 2026 to request Uganda's participation in the proposed Gaza force.
- ▪The Parliament of Uganda voted on August 6, 2026 to approve the potential deployment of a Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces contingent to the Gaza Strip.
Trump International Stabilization Force
- ▪The proposed International Stabilization Force in Gaza is envisioned to deploy in areas that are no longer under Israeli military control.
- ▪Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged a significant commitment of up to 8,000 or more troops to the International Stabilization Force if necessary.
- ▪Five countries have committed to providing troops to the International Stabilization Force: Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania.
Uganda peacekeeping experience
- ▪Uganda has extensive international peacekeeping experience, with active military deployments in Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- ▪Ugandan Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka cited Uganda's military capabilities and its constitutional framework as primary drivers for authorizing the Gaza deployment.
Parliamentary opposition concerns
- ▪Ugandan Shadow Minister for Defence Joseph Ssewungu criticized the timing of the deployment motion, describing it as an ambush and requesting more time for evaluation.
- ▪Ugandan lawmakers Peter Okot and James Waluswaka raised concerns during the parliamentary debate regarding the financial facilitation and potential mismanagement of emoluments for deployed soldiers.
- ▪Ugandan opposition lawmaker Hassan Kirumira raised concerns that deploying troops to Gaza could cause diplomatic issues regarding Uganda's membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Board of Peace framework
- ▪The Board of Peace, established under Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, is a transitional administration designed to oversee the post-war stabilization efforts in Gaza.
- ▪The Board of Peace announced plans to construct a 150-person military base on Israeli-controlled territory near the Gaza border to temporarily house Moroccan troops.
- ▪The International Stabilization Force is proposed to be a 20,000-strong force led by American Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Gaza ceasefire monitoring mission
- ▪The Gaza deployment is intended to monitor ceasefire arrangements, eliminate terrorist elements, protect civilians, and allow for increased humanitarian access.
- ▪The deployment of the International Stabilization Force is designed to occur after a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
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