Uganda’s top military commander has declared his nation stands ready to join the fight on Israel’s side if its survival faces existential threat from Iran, injecting an unexpected African voice into the escalating Middle East conflict.
Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, made the pledge in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter.
“We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it,” he wrote. “But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!”
Kainerugaba, who commands the Uganda People’s Defence Force, added a stern warning to Tehran: “If Tehran dares hit us with missiles. We shall retaliate with our own missiles.” He further stated that if Israel needs help, “it only need ask. Their Ugandan brothers are ready to assist.”
The comments come as the Iran-Israel conflict, now in its fourth week, continues to draw international attention following recent exchanges involving the United States and regional powers.
Historical ties fuel Uganda’s stance
Kainerugaba’s strong pro-Israel position builds on long-standing, if complex, relations between the two nations rooted in the dramatic 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue. Israeli commandos stormed Entebbe International Airport to free hostages held by Palestinian militants and German hijackers, an operation that ended with the death of Israeli commander Lt. Col. Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, elder brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In February, Kainerugaba announced plans to erect a statue honoring Yoni Netanyahu at the exact spot where he fell during the raid. He recently shared a sneak peek of the monument, writing, “This is a sneak peek of the ‘Yoni’ statue that will soon be unveiled at Entebbe International Airport. God bless Uganda and Israel.”
The general has also framed Uganda’s support in religious terms, posting: “We stand with Israel because we are Christians… The Bible says ‘Blessed are you Israel!'”
Mixed reactions and questions of feasibility
Pro-Israel commentators welcomed the unexpected backing from an East African nation, viewing it as a symbolic gesture of solidarity. However, analysts question the practical impact of any Ugandan military deployment, given the distance and logistical challenges involved in projecting power into the Middle East.
No immediate official response has emerged from Uganda’s government in Kampala or from Israeli authorities. President Museveni has previously urged tolerance and dialogue in the region while chairing the Non-Aligned Movement.
Kainerugaba’s statements have sparked lively debate online, with some Ugandans expressing pride in their military chief’s bold stance and others cautioning against entanglement in distant conflicts.
The Entebbe operation remains a defining moment in Israeli military history and a point of connection with Uganda, despite strained relations in the decades that followed under former dictator Idi Amin. Recent diplomatic warming, including meetings between Ugandan officials and the Israeli ambassador to Uganda, appears to have revived ties.
Kainerugaba’s latest remarks underscore a personal and institutional commitment to Israel that goes beyond typical diplomatic language. Whether they translate into concrete action remains to be seen as the Middle East crisis unfolds.
