General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the Ugandan defense forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, shocked regional and international observers by publicly aligning himself with Israel amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, suggesting that Uganda might take military action against Iran if threats against Israel persist.

The head of the Ugandan Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, expressed his firm support for Israel in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, in a series of messages posted Thursday on X (formerly Twitter).

His remarks, although personal, are often interpreted as reflecting state policy because of his influential position and his status as the son of President Yoweri Museveni.

Support for Israel and calls for an end to the war

In his messages, General Kainerugaba emphasized: "Israel has the right to exist and the attacks against it must cease." He called for an immediate ceasefire, stating: "We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world has had enough."

He also warned that any attempt to defeat Israel would involve Uganda, declaring: "On the side of Israel!"

In a deleted message, quoted by the Jerusalem Post, Kainerugaba suggested that the Ugandan army, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), could join the war on Israel's side if it continued.

He stated: "We could have taken Tehran in 72 hours without any bombing," adding: "But of course, they never listen to a Black person. Why bomb those who support you?"

Strengthening ties between Uganda and Israel

Kainerugaba's remarks come as Uganda continues to strengthen its relations with Israel.

Last month, he announced his intention to erect a statue of Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu, brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at Entebbe International Airport.

Yoni Netanyahu was killed during Operation Thunderbolt, an Israeli rescue mission conducted in 1976 at Entebbe Airport during which 102 hostages were freed from a hijacked Air France plane.

Kainerugaba described the statue as a symbol of the strong bond between Uganda and Israel.

No official government announcement has been made regarding the statue, but Kainerugaba stressed the importance of this tribute, linking it to Israel's historical support for Uganda during the early years following its independence.