General Muhoozi Kainerugaba offers 100,000 Ugandan troops to defend Israel, Holy Land

Africa, Politics

KAMPALA, Uganda, 11 April 2026 (NPA) — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has reiterated his strong support for Israel, openly declaring his readiness to deploy Ugandan forces to assist the Middle Eastern country in its fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its allies.

In March 2026, the military chief had warned that any attempt to “destroy or defeat Israel” would draw Uganda into the conflict on Israel’s side. On 10 April, he went further, offering to personally command 100,000 Ugandan soldiers to deploy to Israel “to protect the Holy Land, the land of Jesus Christ our God.” His stance, he explained, is rooted in Christian faith, biblical references, and Uganda’s historical ties with Israel.

The declaration comes shortly after the unveiling of a statue in Kampala honouring Yonatan Netanyahu, the late brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was killed during the famous 1976 Entebbe raid. The statue symbolises Uganda’s recognition of Israel’s role in rescuing hostages during the crisis and serves as a reminder of the enduring bond between the two nations.

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Uganda and Israel have maintained a complex but resilient diplomatic relationship since the 1960s, marked by periods of cooperation in security, agriculture, and technology. The Entebbe raid remains a defining moment in bilateral ties, and recent gestures such as the Kampala statue underscore efforts to strengthen relations further.

General Kainerugaba’s remarks highlight Uganda’s willingness to stand firmly with Israel in times of crisis, reflecting both religious conviction and a strategic partnership that has grown over decades.