Ugandan Military Chief Ponders Gaza Deployment and Escalates Turkey Rant
Ugandan military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba suggested deploying troops to Gaza, expressed staunch support for Israel, and demanded Turkish nationals leave Uganda amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, published a series of posts on X discussing the potential deployment of Ugandan troops to the Gaza Strip, expressing strong support for Israel, and escalating his rhetoric against Turkey.
"Maybe I am the coward this time? Should we deploy to Gaza or not?" Kainerugaba wrote, later asking his followers for their opinion: "Repost if you want us to go, and like if you don't."
In another post, the Ugandan army chief stated: "I am always ready to defend Israel, the country of our God, Jesus Christ." He also addressed the absence of an Israeli embassy in Kampala: "However, our Jewish brothers have never opened an embassy in Kampala. They will open one—and soon."
Kainerugaba continued with sharp statements against Turkey. "I have already severed everything that has to do with the Turks in Uganda. They should pack their bags as soon as possible and leave our country," he wrote.
The Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces also announced a planned protest outside the Turkish embassy on September 18. "We will demonstrate with full force in front of the Turkish embassy on 18 September. Fadil is in charge of this demonstration. PLU better do a good job. This time my order will not change," he wrote, adding: "Instead, we will arrest any Turkish agent who says otherwise."
In a subsequent post, Kainerugaba stated that he intends to visit Greece, Turkey's regional rival: "Soon I will travel to visit the grave of my ancestor, Alexander the Great, in Greece."
About two weeks ago, Kainerugaba addressed the possibility of sending Ugandan soldiers to the Gaza Strip as part of a multinational force operating in the area. He clarified that Uganda has accepted the mission, but set a condition before dispatching the troops. A few days earlier, the Ugandan army chief had also called on his supporters to hold a massive protest outside the Turkish embassy in Kampala on September 1.
