Uganda General Pledges Support for Israel in Mideast Tensions

Uganda's top military commander has pledged his nation's support for Israel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, stating that Uganda would join the conflict on Israel's side if the Jewish state's existence comes under threat.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, chief of the Uganda People's Defence Force and son of President Yoweri Museveni, made the remarks in a series of posts on the social media platform X starting Wednesday. "We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it," Kainerugaba wrote. "But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!"

The statements come as the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, with recent exchanges of missile and drone strikes following U.S. and Israeli actions against Iranian targets. Kainerugaba, 51, emphasized Uganda's readiness to assist, particularly against Iran. In one post, he suggested Ugandan ground forces could help capture Tehran, adding, "If Israel needs help, it only need ask. Their Ugandan brothers are ready to assist." He also warned that any Iranian missile strikes on Uganda would prompt retaliation.

Kainerugaba rooted his position in religious conviction,...