Uganda's Military Chief Plans Visit to Israel Amid Rising Tensions

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, is set to visit Israel, expressing intentions to deploy troops in support of Israel against Iran. His statements have sparked discussions about potential military cooperation between Uganda and Israel, while also escalating tensions with Turkey as he plans to sever diplomatic ties. Kainerugaba's remarks, shared widely on social media, reflect a strong pro-Israeli stance and a readiness to engage in regional conflicts. However, there has been no official confirmation from either government regarding these military commitments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 12, 2026, 04:51 IST

Ugandan General's Intentions to Support Israel

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces in Uganda and the son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced on Saturday his upcoming trip to Tel Aviv. He expressed his desire to meet with his 'Israeli brothers' as tensions in the Middle East escalate. Kainerugaba has recently pledged to send 100,000 Ugandan soldiers to assist Israel in its conflict with Iran and its allies, framing this commitment as a way to repay Israel for its historical support to Uganda over the years. He emphasized that since Israel has stood by Uganda, Ugandan forces are ready to reciprocate.

As he prepares for his visit to Tel Aviv, many are watching to see if his statements will lead to formal cooperation between Uganda and Israel. His pro-Israeli sentiments have been widely shared on the social media platform X, where he has expressed strong support for Israel and criticized Iran's military capabilities using religious language.

In addition to his comments about Israel, Kainerugaba has heightened tensions with Turkey, announcing plans to sever all diplomatic ties with the country within a month and threatening to restrict Turkish Airlines operations. He stated, 'We are going to end ALL diplomatic relations with Turkey in the next 30 days,' and added, 'We shall block their Airlines too!'

His provocative remarks also included demands directed at Turkey, emphasizing his commitment to Israel. However, there has been no official endorsement from either the Ugandan government or Israel regarding the proposed troop deployment. While Uganda's military is reported to consist of approximately 45,000 personnel, Kainerugaba has claimed that the readiness numbers are much higher. His statements come against the backdrop of a US-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict, yet they appear to reflect his personal views rather than an official policy shift.