Uganda’s parliament on Thursday approved a motion authorising the government to deploy troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF).

Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka introduced the motion seeking parliamentary approval to deploy Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel following an invitation from the US.

“Uganda has a strong army with capable organisational structures, which have enabled Uganda to successfully support peace operations in Somalia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and various UN peacekeeping missions,” he said.

Israel has approved the limited entry of forces from countries it considers friendly.

Irreversible political process

Some lawmakers warned that deploying the UPDF to Gaza could raise diplomatic concerns because Uganda and Palestine are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Given that we have an umbrella which joins Muslim countries, it might raise a diplomatic issue, especially not knowing which side Uganda is going to be on in Gaza. It is a battle between Palestine and Israel. The big question for the mover is to clarify to the country: on which side is our army going to fight?” said Hassan Kirumira, the lawmaker for Katikamu County South.

While the UN Security Council has authorised an international security mechanism, the OIC has consistently maintained that any international presence in Gaza must form part of an irreversible political process leading to an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.

Concerns were also raised about Uganda’s neutrality in light of public statements by the army chief supporting Israel.