A UPDF MP debating on the matterBy Prisca WanyenyaParliament has approved the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Gaza arguing that Uganda’s participation will aid in preventing further conflict in the region and will reduce the risks of renewed armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, preventing extremist groups from exploiting instability and sabotage the ceasefire implementation process.The approval followed the presentation of the motion for a resolution of Parliament to support the deployment of the Uganda Proposed Defence Forces, as part of an international stabilisation force in the Gaza Strip at the invitation of the United States of America, during the 6th August 2026 plenary sitting, by Kiwanuka Kiryowa, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.Kiryowa explained, “Uganda’s participation in the International Stabilisation Force will contribute to elimination of terrorist cells that have greatly contributed to international terrorism that have in the past used the Gaza Strip as a base of operations due to the ongoing conflict. Firmly committed that throughout the period of deployment, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces will remain neutral, comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians without taking sides in political disputes, and operate under clearly defined rules of engagement.”The Minister of Defence informed Parliament that Uganda’s decision to join the International Stabilisation Force in Gaza followed a meeting by the United Nations Security Council on 17th November 2025 the resolved to establish the Board of Peace as a transitional administration with international legal personality that will set the framework and coordinate funding for the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip.The meeting was followed up by a request by United States President, Donald Trump, via multiple emissaries, seeking Kampala’s contribution to the International Stabilisation Force, a request President Museveni honoured on grounds that Uganda’s participation in the International Stabilisation Force is consistent with the national objectives, in particular National Objective 27-2, which provides that Uganda shall actively participate in international and regional organisations that stand for peace and for well-being and progress of humanity.The Minister remarked, “The current Israeli-Palestine conflict is rooted in 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 the civilians and allow for increased humanitarian access in parts affected directly by the conflict.”John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya County) who demanded for a report on how UPDF has performed in other peace keeping missions it is currently deployed in including; Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan given that Gaza seems to be a higher risk deployment than the other nations.He noted, “Under normal procedures, we would be required to know the performance of our peace keeping missions in these countries and then we would be able to assess and determine whether surely we are doing very well to release another Force to a high risk region like the Gaza strip.”However, Henry Matsiko (UPDF Representative) rejected arguments fronted by some Opposition MPs that UPDF deployment in Gaza is an ambush arguing that Trump’s proposal was in the public domain, and he allay fears of MPs on Ugandans soldiers dying in Gaza, arguing that the Army is trained to do whatever is possible to defend boundaries of each nation and provide world peace.Matsiko noted, “It is really very surprising that anybody would be feeling unhonoured that your country, working with superpowers, is being requested to participate in such an honourable cause for peace and humanitarian cause, it is quite surprising. As for the doctrine of participation in military operations, the army is trained not to be in a dancing hall, the army is trained to defend humanity, defend territories against any levels of threats.”He further asked MPs not to question UPDF’s capabilities arguing that at the time of its deployment in Somalia, Uganda entered Somalia when a big force from a superpower had failed to contain the situation in Somalia and at that time, Somalia was in a worse situation than what actually now is happening in Gaza and thus, that should be enough testimony not to doubt the capability and the capacity of your force.“You should be very, very proud as Ugandans that Uganda People’s Defence Forces is viewed as the anchor of stability in a sea of turbulence, regionally and now globally. I know some of you may be worried, but the doctrine of the forces is that we don’t go to dance, we go to confront threats against society, against humanity,” added Matsiko.Tumusiime Bamuturaki (Kashari South) backed the motion and thanked Government for professionalising the UPDF to an international standard arguing that the Gaza deployment will enable the UPDF to acquire more skills, which explains why the UPDF are on the market.“How many countries are in the world, and they have not been even contacted, and these superpowers are not even bothered about them, but they know what Uganda people’s force is. For the issues of security, when you are called upon to deploy, it should be with immediate effect. So, I appeal to colleagues here, let us support the motion without delay, and we trust our force that it’s going to acquire another great, own international standards,” noted Tumusiime.Hassan Kirumira (Katikamu South) asked Government to clarify which side the UPDF will fight on given that Uganda is already a member of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation where Palestine is a member, and whether this won’t cause a diplomatic row if the war between Palestine and Isreal is to be categorised as a religious war.Kirumira noted, “We have an umbrella which joins Muslim countries, it might raise a diplomatic issue especially not knowing which side Uganda will be on, in Gaza. It is a battle between Palestine and Isreal, they all fight a different battle, we don’t know about, it has been there for years and chances are, that war isn’t about to end, even with the involvement of the UPDF. The clarification I am seeking from the move is that, on which side s our Army going to fight with?”Although Enos Asiimwe (Kabula County) acknowledged that this isn’t the first time for Uganda to deploy forces for the peace keeping missions, but in 2007 when the deployment was made, the motion was referred to the Committee of Defence, scrutinised before a decision was taken, thus calling for more details on who will fund UPDF deployment in Gaza.“We need to know, the agreement that has been signed, between Uganda and the deploying organisations in this case, whether it is the United Nations or the United States, we don’t even know yet. We also need to know the funding of this Force, who is going to fund our stay in Gaza,” said Asiimwe.The same sentiments were raised by Paul Mwiru, Opposition Chief Whip who tasked Government to furnish Parliament with the agreements that Government has signed for the Gaza deployment referencing the case in 2007 when Crispus Kiyonga (former Minister of Defence) came one time, seeking resolution of Parliament and actually what happened, after some time, complaints were raised on non payment, only for Parliament to later realize that the soldiers were being paid a different amount from what the agreements stated.Mwiru noted, “If this House is to pass this motion the way it is, the Ministry of Defence should be tasked to lay on table the agreements under which our forces are going so that we know that this isn’t business for a few individuals in the UPDF.”The latest proposal by Uganda to deploy in Gaza comes after an attack on 7th October 2023, when Hamas and allied armed groups launched a large-scale attack in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas and recovering the hostages which has caused mayhem in the Gaza Strip.The Minister of Defence revealed that Uganda isn’t the only member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation that has signed up to this Mission, because there are some Islamic states that have agreed t send their forces to Gaza and these include; Saidi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakisatani, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.The post “We Don’t Go to Dance”: UPDF Defends Planned Gaza Deployment Amid MP Concerns appeared first on Business Focus.