KAMPALA — Parliament has approved a government motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) to the Gaza Strip as part of a proposed international stabilisation mission, despite concerns from several legislators over the speed with which the proposal was presented to the House.
The motion, tabled by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth-Oboth Kiryowa Kiwanuka, was approved during Thursday’s plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. It sought Parliament’s approval, in line with the Constitution and the UPDF Act, to deploy Ugandan troops to support peace restoration and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Presenting the motion, Kiryowa said the deployment was consistent with Uganda’s constitutional and international obligations.
“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,” he said.
He added that the mission would operate under strict humanitarian principles.
“The UPDF contingent will remain neutral, comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians without taking sides in political disputes, and operate solely under the mandate of the Stabilisation Mission,” Kiryowa said.
According to the minister, Uganda’s participation would contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East through a multinational force established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788 (2025) while strengthening the country’s standing in international peacekeeping.
Despite broad support for Uganda’s peacekeeping role, several legislators objected to the manner in which the motion was introduced, arguing that Parliament had insufficient time to scrutinise it.
Chief Opposition Whip Paul Mwiru, speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, urged the House to defer debate to allow members to adequately study the proposal.
“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.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa acknowledged that the motion had been submitted earlier by the Defence Minister but admitted that it had been omitted from the Order Paper due to an oversight.
“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 international decisions regarding the proposed mission were expected over the weekend.
Manjiya County MP John Baptist Nambeshe supported Uganda’s continued participation in international peacekeeping but called for greater parliamentary oversight of existing missions before approving another deployment.
“We would be required as the Legislature to know the performance of our peacekeeping mission in these countries,” Nambeshe said, referring to ongoing UPDF deployments in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan.
He cautioned that Gaza presented a particularly challenging operational environment. “It is urban warfare, and it becomes very difficult to distinguish between combatants and civilians,” he said.
Kassanda County North MP Patrick Nsamba also urged Parliament to exercise greater caution. “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,” Nsamba said.
Kalungu County West MP Joseph Ssewungu criticised the manner in which the motion was brought before the House, describing it as an “ambush.”
“Your packaging sometimes is a problem. I am not supporting your motion because it is an ambush on us,” Ssewungu said.
He argued that MPs should first have received information on troop welfare, the expected benefits of the mission and support arrangements for soldiers’ families before making a decision.
Government and UPDF representatives defended the deployment, citing Uganda’s long-standing reputation in international peace support operations.
UPDF representative Maj Gen Henry Masiko said Uganda’s military continued to earn international confidence because of its professionalism.
“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.
Kashari South MP John Bosco Tumusiime said international deployments enhanced the professionalism and operational experience of the force.
“By having this opportunity, this national force deployed outside, they are actually acquiring more skills,” Tumusiime said.
UPDF representative Maj Gen David Gonyi argued that Uganda had both a humanitarian and diplomatic responsibility to contribute to restoring peace.
“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 that live in the Gaza Strip to have at least some semblance of peace,” Gonyi said.
Seconding the motion, Minister of State for Public Service Lydia Wanyoto said Uganda had built a strong international reputation as a reliable contributor to global peace and security, making participation in the proposed mission consistent with the country’s long-standing foreign policy and peacekeeping commitments.
The approval paves the way for Uganda to join the proposed multinational stabilisation mission in Gaza, with the UPDF expected to undertake humanitarian and civilian protection duties under the mission’s mandate.