Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked controversy after declaring support for Israel and warning that Uganda could join the Iran-Israel conflict.
In a statement on March 31, the Ugandan Chief of Defence (UPDF), Muhoozi, linked recent cyberattacks on Uganda to the Iranians.
According to the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Muhoozi, the numerous cyberattacks by the Iranian followed the declaration of the military chief to support Israel in the ongoing Middle East conflicts.
He added that Uganda would investigate all the cyberattacks and act against all those involved in the attacks.
“After my tweets the other day in support of Israel, our country experienced numerous cyber-attacks. We shall investigate all of them. We will take strong action against those who sent and supported those attacks,” Muhoozi stated.
On March 25, Muhoozi announced that Uganda wanted the war in the Middle East to end immediately.
Additionally, he stated that the world was tired of the escalating situation and stated that any talk of destroying or defeating Israel would bring Uganda into war.
He also added that Uganda was in support of Israel because Uganda was a Christian community.
Furthermore, the general made a biblical reference comparing Uganda to David, who was forgotten and neglected, and that they would defeat the giant in the war.
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Muhoozi Kainerugaba on The Relationship with Israel
According to the Ugandan military chief, Iran has no interests in Uganda and has been alleged to be involved in covert operations in Kenya and Tanzania.
Iran is said to be involved in running smuggling networks and making controversial diplomatic and economic outreach with questionable motives throughout the region, according to Muhoozi.
Uganda is, however, said to be wary of Iran’s strategic interest in gaining a presence in the regional waters of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
In a separate public post, the general stated that Israel stood with Uganda when no other country offered any support in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Israel has a right to exist, and attacks against her must stop,” Uganda’s Chief of Defense said during a series of X/Twitter posts expressing his support.
He added that Uganda had no reason not to support Israel in the war, as Uganda has a GDP of $100 billion, enabling it to offer the necessary resources in the war.
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Israel has a strong strategic relationship with Uganda, as Israel offered training to Ugandan forces, including the general himself.
In February, Muhoozi Kainerugaba also announced plans to build a statue honoring Lt.-Col. Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu at Entebbe International Airport.
He said the statue would be placed in the exact spot where Netanyahu was killed, following the 1976 hijacking of an Air France flight that was used in the abduction of about 100 Jews and Israelis.
Muhoozi also added that the monument would act as a symbol of ties between Uganda and Israel.
The plans for the monument, however, were not announced officially by the Ugandan government.
General Kainerugaba Muhoozi has reaffirmed that Uganda will support and stand with Israel against Iran and all states in support of Iran in the ongoing war.
Let uganda turn away from extenal conflicts