Uganda Approves Troop Deployment to Gaza Stabilization Force

The Parliament of Uganda approved a motion on Thursday to deploy the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to the Gaza Strip. The troops will join the International Stabilization Force (ISF), a 20,000-strong multinational mission mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788 (2025) to restore peace, protect civilians, and secure humanitarian zones.

The deployment follows a peace roadmap proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and his Board of Peace, which requires Hamas to disarm and Israel to conduct a phased troop withdrawal. Major General Jasper Jeffers is designated to lead the ISF, which will coordinate with a new local police force to manage regional safety. Other nations, including Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, and Kazakhstan, have also indicated their willingness to join the force.

Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka presented the motion, citing Uganda's peacekeeping experience in Somalia and its commitment to international cooperation. While the motion passed, opposition legislators criticized the speed of the approval process and warned of the operational risks associated with urban warfare and potential diplomatic friction within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has not yet accepted the latest road map for the Gaza Strip. Despite this, UPDF leadership maintains the mission will enhance the force's professionalism and fulfill Uganda's diplomatic obligations.