Ugandan Military Chief: Kampala Ready to Join Conflict with Iran to Support Israel

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said his country would support Israel if it faced destruction, in a series of social media posts that underline Kampala’s increasingly vocal stance on the escalating Middle East conflict.

“We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it. But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!” Kainerugaba wrote on X.

In subsequent posts, the Ugandan military chief warned that any missile attack from Iran would trigger retaliation, adding that Uganda stood ready to assist Israel if requested.

“If Tehran dares hit us with missiles. We shall retaliate with our own missiles,” said Muhoozi.

“If Israel needs help, it only need ask. Their Ugandan brothers are ready to assist.”

The remarks come as tensions between Israel, United States and Iran intensify, with ongoing exchanges involving regional armed groups raising fears of a wider war.

Kainerugaba also stated that “Israel has a right to exist and attacks against her must stop,” reinforcing his strong pro-Israel position.

Kainerugaba, the son of President Museveni and widely seen as a powerful figure in Uganda’s security establishment, has previously expressed admiration for Israel and its leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Earlier this year, he announced plans for Uganda to erect a statue in honour of Yonatan Netanyahu, the Israeli commando killed during the 1976 Entebbe rescue operation, a historic mission that has long symbolised close ties between Uganda and Israel.

The latest comments reflect Uganda’s broader alignment with Western-backed positions on Israel’s security, though Uganda has not formally announced any military deployment related to the Middle East conflict.

Kainerugaba is known for his outspoken and often controversial use of social media, which has previously sparked diplomatic tensions in the region.

Uganda has historically maintained cooperative ties with Israel, particularly in security and intelligence, dating back decades, even as it balances relations with other global powers.

There was no immediate official statement from the Ugandan government.