KAMPALA, Uganda – Parliament has approved a government motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to the Gaza Strip as part of a proposed international stabilisation mission aimed at restoring peace and facilitating humanitarian assistance.
The motion, tabled by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, was approved during the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Seeking Parliament’s approval under the Constitution and the UPDF Act, Kiwanuka said the deployment aligns with Uganda’s constitutional obligations and international commitments to promoting peace and security.
“The deployment is consistent with our National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, particularly Objective XIII, which mandates Uganda to promote regional and international peace, security and cooperation,” the minister said.
He added that the mission would operate under strict humanitarian principles, with the UPDF contingent remaining neutral, complying with international humanitarian law, protecting civilians and operating solely under the mandate of the proposed Stabilisation Mission.
According to the government, Uganda’s participation will also strengthen the country’s international standing while contributing to peace and stability in the Middle East through a multinational force established following United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788 (2025).
Despite broad support for Uganda’s role in international peacekeeping, several legislators expressed concern over the manner in which the motion was presented and called for greater parliamentary oversight of the country’s expanding peace support operations.
The Chief Opposition Whip, Hon. Paul Mwiru, speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, argued that Members of Parliament needed more time to scrutinise the proposal before making a decision.
“I would only wonder whether it is not procedurally right that you adjourn, give us some time to address our minds to the motion and also use our technical officers to review the previous deployments we have made,” Mwiru said.
He maintained that Parliament was being asked to make a decision with significant national and international implications without sufficient time for consideration.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa acknowledged that although the Defence Minister had submitted the motion earlier, its omission from the Order Paper was due to an oversight on his part.
“The Minister for Defence brought this motion much earlier. He did his part. So, it was an oversight on my side for not putting it on the Order Paper,” Tayebwa said.
He explained that the matter required urgent consideration because key decisions regarding the international mission were expected over the weekend.
Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe (NUP, Manjiya County) supported Uganda’s participation in peacekeeping missions but insisted that Parliament should first receive reports on ongoing deployments in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan.
“We would be required as the Legislature to know the performance of our peacekeeping missions in these countries,” Nambeshe said.
He also cautioned that Gaza presents unique operational challenges due to urban warfare, where distinguishing between combatants and civilians is particularly difficult.
Similarly, Hon. Patrick Nsamba (NUP, Kassanda County North) urged Parliament not to rush consideration of what he described as “a matter of life and death.”
“The matter of deploying our soldiers to a very risky place like Gaza, where Israel strikes every now and again, cannot be just casually passed here. We have to prepare enough,” he said.
Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu County West) criticised the process through which the motion was brought to Parliament, arguing that the Opposition had not been given adequate time to prepare.
“But your packaging sometimes is a problem,” Ssewungu said. “I am not supporting your motion because it is an ambush on us.”
He also called for detailed information on troop welfare, mission benefits and support arrangements for soldiers’ families before Parliament approved another deployment.
Defending the proposal, UPDF representative Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko dismissed suggestions that the force was unprepared, saying Uganda should take pride in the confidence the international community has placed in its military.
“You should be very, very proud as Ugandans that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces is viewed as the anchor of stability in a sea of turbulence regionally and now globally,” Masiko said.
Hon. John Bosco Tumusiime (NRM, Kashari South County) argued that participation in international peace support operations enhances the professionalism and operational experience of the UPDF.
“By having this opportunity, this national force deployed outside, they are actually acquiring more skills,” he said.
UPDF representative Maj. Gen. David Gonyi said Uganda had both a moral and diplomatic responsibility to contribute to international peace efforts.
“We cannot be in this House and want to live in a peaceful country, yet fail to support the deployment of the UPDF to help members of the community living in the Gaza Strip attain at least some semblance of peace,” Gonyi said.
Seconding the motion, the Minister of State for Public Service, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, said Uganda has earned international recognition as a reliable contributor to global peace and security, making its participation in the Gaza stabilisation mission both timely and consistent with its long-standing peacekeeping role.
Following debate, Parliament approved the motion, paving the way for the deployment of UPDF personnel to the proposed international stabilisation mission in Gaza.
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