Uganda has agreed in principle to send its soldiers to Gaza as part of a proposed international peacekeeping force, following a direct request from United States President Donald Trump.
According to Uganda's state-owned New Vision newspaper, President Yoweri Museveni gave a positive response to Washington's request for Kampala to contribute troops to help stabilize the war-torn Palestinian territory.
The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has not yet announced how many soldiers would be deployed, what specific duties they would carry out, or when any deployment might begin.
Acting UPDF spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi said the military would only act once President Museveni, who serves as the commander-in-chief, gives formal instructions.
"If the President provides strategic direction, he will instruct the UPDF to take the appropriate action, and we will implement those orders," Magezi was quoted as saying.
The proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) was authorised by the United Nations Security Council in November 2025 through Resolution 2803, which received 13 votes in favour while China and Russia abstained.
The force is meant to help restore security in Gaza, protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, and support reconstruction following months of devastating conflict that has left much of the territory in ruins.
The mission would operate alongside a Palestinian technocratic administration and locally recruited police. According to US officials, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have also pledged to send personnel.
A logistical base is reportedly being established on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, expected to accommodate an initial rotation of about 500 troops before any deployment into Gaza.
US Army Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed to command the International Stabilisation Force. Speaking at the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting in Washington earlier this year, Jeffers said the plan envisages 20,000 troops and 12,000 Palestinian police deployed across five sectors, with the Rafah sector expected to be the first area of operation.
However, the force remains largely on paper months after the UN resolution was passed. None of the five countries that initially pledged troops have made a substantial deployment.
Indonesia, which had offered the largest contingent of 8,000 soldiers, later put its plans on indefinite hold amid escalating tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Indonesian officials said the suspension was necessary to protect national interests and the safety of their troops.
For Uganda, a deployment to Gaza would represent one of the country's most significant military operations outside the African continent and would further elevate Kampala's profile in international peacekeeping efforts.
The UPDF brings extensive experience gained over nearly two decades in Somalia, where Ugandan troops formed the backbone of successive African Union missions fighting the al-Shabaab militant group.
Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to the African Union mission in Somalia in March 2007 and remains one of the largest contributors to the current African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia.
Ugandan forces have also participated in regional security operations in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
But analysts say a Gaza deployment would present very different political and operational challenges. One major concern is the possibility of confrontation with armed Palestinian factions.
There are also questions about whether Uganda can credibly present itself as a neutral peacekeeping actor, given that the country's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly declared support for Israel.
During heightened tensions involving Israel and Iran earlier this year, General Muhoozi posted on social media that "Uganda stands with Israel because we are Christians" and spoke of Uganda's readiness to commit troops to defend Israel if called upon.
Critics argue that such statements undermine Uganda's credibility as an impartial security guarantor in a conflict where perceptions of neutrality matter greatly.
For now, Ugandan authorities have not confirmed whether any future contingent would undertake combat operations, secure humanitarian corridors, train Palestinian police, or perform logistical and engineering duties. Any deployment will require final authorisation from President Museveni.
The international community continues to watch closely as political disagreements persist over Gaza's post-war governance, Hamas' future role, and the continued Israeli military presence in parts of the territory.
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