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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Uganda Military Chief Links Gaza Deployment to Personal Medal and Apology Demands

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, stated troops will deploy to Gaza as part of an international force but only after he receives a medal from his former U.S. college.
  • Kainerugaba also demanded an apology from U.S. Senator James Risch, citing perceived insults towards him and the Ugandan military.
  • Uganda's government approved the deployment in August, aligning with international commitments, though Kainerugaba's conditions introduce a personal element to the mission.

Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has set unusual conditions for the deployment of Ugandan troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, stated that no soldiers would be sent until he personally receives a medal from his alma mater, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

We as Ugandans have accepted the Gaza mission, because everybody else was running away.

— Gen. Muhoozi KainerugabaStating Uganda's acceptance of the Gaza mission on X/Twitter.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Kainerugaba declared, "We as Ugandans have accepted the Gaza mission, because everybody else was running away." However, he immediately followed up with the stipulation: "We are not going to send a single UPDF soldier to Gaza before my former college in Fort Leavenworth, USA, honours me with a medal."

We are not going to send a single UPDF soldier to Gaza before my former college in Fort Leavenworth, USA, honours me with a medal.

— Gen. Muhoozi KainerugabaSetting a personal condition for troop deployment.

Adding another layer to his demands, Kainerugaba also called for an apology from U.S. Senator James Risch, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Kainerugaba accused Risch of "heaping insults" upon him and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), asserting, "Not a single Ugandan soldier shall die in Gaza for Mr. Risch." This demand follows Risch's June call for a review of U.S. security ties with Kampala after Kainerugaba ordered the shutdown of two Ugandan news outlets, stating he did not "believe in a free press."

Mr. Risch is quite happy to heap insults upon me and the UPDF.

— Gen. Muhoozi KainerugabaDemanding an apology from Senator James Risch.

The Ugandan government officially approved the deployment of UPDF soldiers to the ISF, a mission proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, on August 10. Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka stated the decision aligned with constitutional and international obligations, promising the contingent would remain neutral and adhere to international humanitarian law. Kainerugaba's personal demands, however, cast a unique shadow over the planned mission.

Not a single Ugandan soldier shall die in Gaza for Mr. Risch.

— Gen. Muhoozi KainerugabaExpressing his stance regarding Senator Risch's perceived criticism.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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