Uganda has expressed its intent to join the Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran, backing Tel Aviv’s forces if the country faces defeat.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the Uganda People’s Defence Force and son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the plan in a series of social media posts.
“We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it. But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel,” he stated.
He assured that armed support from the East African country would be provided if requested, stating Tel Aviv “only needs to ask,” adding “their Ugandan brothers are ready to assist.”
Kainerugaba said Kampala’s strategy is partly rooted in religion and historical ties.
“We stand with Israel because we are Christians,” he said while citing several biblical verses.
“Israel stood with us when we were nobodies in the 1980s and 1990s. Why wouldn’t we defend her now that our GDP is $100 billion?”
Separately, Kainerugaba announced plans to build a statue honoring Yonatan Netanyahu at Entebbe Airport.
The late recipient, a highly decorated Israeli Special Forces officer and brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was killed during a 1976 Israeli operation in Uganda that rescued more than 100 hostages.
Military Support for Russia
Kainerugaba’s interest in the Israeli-Iran war follows reports confirming the presence of Ugandan mercenaries in Russia’s forces amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
In 2024, Kyiv’s defense intelligence agency said that Kampala, in addition to Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo, was targeted by Moscow’s enhanced recruitment efforts to increase its frontline personnel.
A year earlier, Kainerugaba pledged Ugandan troop assistance to Russia if it came under threat.
