Uganda has taken concrete steps toward deploying troops to the Gaza Strip after Parliament approved a government motion authorising a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent to join the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF). The motion was tabled by Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka and passed during a plenary sitting. The Minister told lawmakers that US President Donald Trump, through emissaries, had contacted President Yoweri Museveni in July seeking Uganda’s contribution to the multinational force envisioned under the US-backed Gaza stabilisation plan. “Following the invitation by His Excellency Donald Trump… the President of the Republic of Uganda is ready to deploy in the Gaza Strip the desired Uganda People’s Defence Forces contingent,” Kiwanuka stated. According to the government, the UPDF contingent would operate under strict principles of neutrality, comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians without taking sides in political disputes, and function solely under the mandate of the stabilisation mission. Planning meetings have already been held between senior UPDF officers, US Embassy officials in Kampala and representatives of the proposed force. Some legislators raised concerns about the risks of deploying troops to a volatile environment and questioned the adequacy of preparation and legal arrangements. Government and UPDF representatives in the House defended the decision, citing Uganda’s track record in regional and international peace support operations and the country’s constitutional commitment to promoting international peace and security. Beyond the immediate security role, analysts and officials have linked the deployment to Uganda’s broader diplomatic ambitions, including its nomination of veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. Participation is viewed in some quarters as a demonstration of willingness to shoulder international responsibilities. Recent reports indicate that Ugandan and Burundian military representatives have conducted pre-deployment site-related engagements, signalling that preparations are advancing even as the overall Gaza stabilisation framework continues to face political and operational hurdles. The decision places Uganda among a small group of countries that have publicly committed troops to the ISF. How the mission evolves, the exact size and role of the UPDF contingent, and the risks involved will remain matters of close public interest. King Musah Media will continue monitoring developments around the proposed deployment.