# Uganda military expansion and Gaza deployment > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uganda-military-developments > Updated: 2026-08-16T19:54:07.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 3. In July 2026, Uganda staged a large graduation ceremony, commissioning nearly 12,000 soldiers and announcing participation in the Invictus Games, signalling a boost to its armed forces and veteran outreach. In August, the Ugandan Parliament approved a motion, presented by Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to contribute up to 20,000 UPDF personnel to a U.S.-led International Stabilisation Force in the Gaza Strip. The force, proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and operating under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, is to be commanded by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers. The mission aims to secure a humanitarian zone, oversee Hamas disarmament, train Palestinian police, and facilitate Israeli troop withdrawal. By mid-August, Uganda and Burundi reached preliminary agreements to deploy hundreds of soldiers, with Uganda becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to join the mission. While Morocco is slated to lead training efforts, other contributors include Albania, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan; however, Indonesia has suspended its planned 8,000-person contribution due to regional tensions. Domestic debate continues in Uganda. Opposition MPs, including Hassan Kirumira, have raised legal and diplomatic concerns regarding Uganda’s role as an OIC member, specifically questioning “which side our army will fight”. High-level military officials have met with U.S. and Israeli representatives to review operational plans, though specific details regarding Uganda’s exact contingent and legal arrangements remain unsettled. ## Claims - Uganda’s Parliament approved a motion to deploy UPDF troops to Gaza as part of an international force. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The motion was presented by Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Opposition MP Hassan Kirumira asked “On which side will our army fight?”. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The force is proposed by US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The International Stabilisation Force would be led by US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers and consist of about 20,000 troops. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Morocco also pledged troops for the International Stabilisation Force. (corroborated by 21 sources) - UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) authorises the International Stabilisation Force. (corroborated by 21 sources) - US President Donald Trump’s emissaries contacted President Yoweri Museveni in July to request Uganda’s participation. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Uganda’s peace‑keeping experience includes deployments in Somalia. (corroborated by 19 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Uganda and Burundi to deploy troops to Gaza in international stabilization force Uganda and Burundi have agreed to send troops to Gaza as part of a US-led International Stabilisation Force under UN Resolution 2803 to secure borders and train Palestinian police. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uganda-approves-deployment-of-troops-to-gaza ### 2026-08-06: Uganda Parliament approves deployment of troops to Gaza Uganda’s Parliament approved sending UPDF troops to Gaza as part of a US‑backed International Stabilisation Force, despite opposition concerns over neutrality and diplomatic implications. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uganda-parliament-approves-participation-in-international-gaza-peace-force ### 2026-07-08: Uganda graduates nearly 12,000 soldiers and joins Invictus Games movement Uganda’s president graduated 11,947 UPDF recruits, including 1,002 from CAR, while the country also joined the Invictus Games movement, preparing for its debut at Birmingham 2027. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uganda-graduates-nearly-12000-soldiers-and-joins-invictus-games-movement --- Cite as: Uganda military expansion and Gaza deployment. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uganda-military-developments