Uganda has formally committed 1,200 troops to the International Stabilization Force for Gaza following parliamentary approval, aligning with a U.S.-backed Board of Peace initiative. The deployment brings Uganda into a multinational coalition tasked with securing humanitarian aid corridors, monitoring a stalled ceasefire, and training Palestinian police.
Parliamentary Approval and the Board of Peace Framework
Uganda’s legislative branch voted on August 6, 2026, to authorize troop deployments to the Gaza Strip as part of a U.S.-backed multilateral peacekeeping mission. Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka introduced the motion in Kampala following a diplomatic invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump, allowing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to join the International Stabilization Force.
The announcement of the final troop figure came later from New York, where Foreign Minister Adonia Ayebare confirmed the contribution after a meeting of the Board of Peace on Gaza’s reconstruction. Ayebare posted on X that an impressive detailed plan was presented during the session, formally establishing Uganda’s role in the stabilization effort.
“Today I participated in the Board of Peace meeting on the reconstruction of Gaza, where an impressive detailed plan was presented. Uganda will be contributing troops to the International Stabilisation Force for Gaza.”
Adonia Ayebare, Foreign Minister, via The Eastleigh Voice
Domestic Debate and Regional Security Track Record
The parliamentary debate in Kampala featured sharp questioning from opposition lawmakers regarding logistics, financial burdens, and diplomatic alignment. Member of Parliament Enos Asiimwe pressed the government during the session by asking who would fund the stay in Gaza, while lawmaker Hassan Kirumira raised concerns over Uganda’s membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and questioned which side the army would fight on.
Minister Kiwanuka defended the move by pointing to Uganda’s extensive military track record in regional peace operations across East Africa. Senior military leaders welcomed the vote as a sign of professional trust, with General Henry Matsiko describing the UPDF as an anchor of stability in a sea of turbulence, regionally and now globally.
The UPDF brings substantial counter-insurgency and urban stability experience gained through long deployments with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, where units secured volatile urban sectors in Mogadishu. The military also maintains an active regional footprint, including a March 2025 deployment of special operations forces to Juba at the request of the South Sudanese government.
Multinational Force Composition and Ceasefire Realities
The International Stabilization Force is planned as a 20,000-strong contingent commanded by U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, operating alongside 12,000 local police officers. Responsibilities assigned to the multinational body involve safeguarding relief routes, preserving order after the ceasefire, safeguarding civilians, and overseeing the dismantling of militant organizations.
Contributor commitments vary across participating nations, reflecting shifting geopolitical dynamics. Indonesia initially pledged 8,000 troops but has since put its deployment on hold, positioning Uganda as one of the largest contributors to the force alongside Morocco, which committed up to 500 personnel. Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania have pledged about 80 troops collectively.
| Contributing Nation | Pledged Personnel | Current Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 1,200 | Approved by Parliament; announced by Foreign Minister in New York |
| Indonesia | 8,000 | Deployment initially pledged, currently on hold |
| Morocco | Up to 500 | Committed personnel |
| Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Albania | ~80 (collective) | Combined troop pledges |
Financing and security conditions present ongoing challenges for the mission. The United States has committed more than $206 million to equip and operationalize the force, while member states have pledged more than $5 billion toward reconstruction efforts alongside a $10 billion commitment from the U.S. Meanwhile, the ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 has largely stalled. While Hamas has consented to lay down its arms, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused any pullback by Israel from the roughly 60 percent of Gaza currently under its control until that disarmament process finishes.