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From Uganda to the world for peace
UPDF’s mission in Gaza is more than a deployment; it is Uganda offering its experience, courage and commitment to peace to a troubled world. Its success will belong to every Ugandan — and stand as a reminder that Africa can be a force for peace, not merely a spectator to global conflicts.
Al-Haji Faruk Kirunda. (File)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Al-Haji Faruk Kirunda
Uganda has now graduated from a peace and security guarantor force within Africa to a net exporter of peace to the world, thanks to the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as part of the US-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for post-conflict Gaza. This is under the auspices of the Board of Peace, an international body of 26 world leaders dedicated to global stability and conflict resolution through decisive action and chaired by USA president Donald Trump.
While the exact timeline for full deployment remains dependent on local conditions and political consensus, participating nations have been announced through international frameworks as a welcome intervention to restore sanity in the battered enclave along the Mediterranean Sea that forms part of Palestine, the other being the West Bank.
The world is conversant with the cycle of conflict in Palestine since 1948 when the country of Israel was reestablished. The fighting has long dragged in neighbouring countries in support of either side, but without a definite end in sight. Then came October 7, 2023, when fighters of Hamas, the armed organisation in charge of Gaza, breached Israeli borders and caused much damage inside. Then Israel launched a counterattack that nearly saw Gaza razed to the ground, resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe and drawing greater global attention to the crisis.
It wasn’t until the formation of the Board of Peace and the signing of an agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt last year that there was a rebate in fighting. One of the conditions was for a multinational force to help implement a cessation of hostilities agreement. That is how Uganda comes into the picture, alongside Morocco, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania.
Uganda is renowned for participating in peacekeeping missions on the African continent, from Liberia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR) and, mostly, Somalia, where UPDF has been since 2007, helping stabilise the country that could have disintegrated and affected the entire Horn of Africa and East Africa at large. UPDF’s philosophy in peacekeeping and security operations is rooted in the Pan-African mindset of the Commander-In-Chief, H.E Gen. Yoweri Museveni, who believes in continental brotherhood and the idea that instability in any part of Africa is instability for the whole continent. That’s one fear that keeps President Museveni sleepless; keeps him active in leadership while others choose to serve time and call it quits.
But the deployment to Gaza is a unique challenge-and opportunity. It is the first time that UPDF is deploying outside Africa as ambassadors for peace. Uganda is “exporting” peace to the international “market” for the first time. This represents growth in the stature of our forces for which every Ugandan should be proud. For Uganda to be called upon to undertake this role is a sign of trust in our capabilities and outlook to peace and security in the world. Uganda may not have the most powerful armaments, but the ideology is very clear, thanks to President Museveni’s insistence on professionalisation, ideology and thinking big when analysing the role of the military.
It wasn’t until the formation of the Board of Peace and the signing of an agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt last year that there was a rebate in fighting. One of the conditions was for a multinational force to help implement a cessation of hostilities agreement. That is how Uganda comes into the picture, alongside Morocco, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania.
Uganda is renowned for participating in peacekeeping missions on the African continent, from Liberia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR) and, mostly, Somalia, where UPDF has been since 2007, helping stabilise the country that could have disintegrated and affected the entire Horn of Africa and East Africa at large. UPDF’s philosophy in peacekeeping and security operations is rooted in the Pan-African mindset of the Commander-In-Chief, H.E Gen. Yoweri Museveni, who believes in continental brotherhood and the idea that instability in any part of Africa is instability for the whole continent. That’s one fear that keeps President Museveni sleepless; keeps him active in leadership while others choose to serve time and call it quits.
But the deployment to Gaza is a unique challenge-and opportunity. It is the first time that UPDF is deploying outside Africa as ambassadors for peace. Uganda is “exporting” peace to the international “market” for the first time. This represents growth in the stature of our forces for which every Ugandan should be proud. For Uganda to be called upon to undertake this role is a sign of trust in our capabilities and outlook to peace and security in the world. Uganda may not have the most powerful armaments, but the ideology is very clear, thanks to President Museveni’s insistence on professionalisation, ideology and thinking big when analysing the role of the military.
In the whole world, there is no leader with the experience and expertise in military science like President Museveni and the world is reaping this benefit at a critical time. For president Trump to call upon Uganda when he has the most powerful military, equipped with the most advanced military technologies anywhere in the world means that he appreciates the spirit and bravery of the UPDF, developed through revolutionary struggle and excellent command and control.
Uganda, together with Morocco, are representing Africa. Global conflicts have always affected all humanity, with Africa having no say in them, waiting on the sidelines while the “powers” decide the direction those conflicts take on their own terms. In the Ukraine-Russia war, Africa has had no say; in the Iran-USA-Israel war, the same case. The trend means that Africa’s voice will always be ignored, probably because of the historical underdog status the continent has been relegated to. Some Africans aren’t concerned about this and would rather remain passive participants in global affairs. Museveni’s position is that Africa should seek to play a powerful role as a basis for gaining equal rights in international geopolitics. Through trade rather than aid and contributing to global peace and security efforts like the one at hand, Africa may finally be waking up and taking its place at the table.
In June, when the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending their fight (since February), some of us wished that Africa had been part of the negotiations to guarantee better outcomes. Even in the Gaza ceasefire talks of October last year, much as they were held in Egypt, Africa’s role was minimal. However, the invitation to help enforce the peace plan in Gaza is an opportunity to justify why Africa should never be ignored in future engagements.
Our push and call for dialogue should be amplified and celebrated for the selfless, pro-people and neutral spirit of humanity behind it. Africa’s role at this level also comes with the benefit of potentially helping de-escalate nuclear proliferation, which is the biggest threat to global peace at the moment. Africa isn’t involved in the nuclear weapons race. Africa stands for peace, the use of nuclear energy for peaceful means, harmonious co-existence and development and transformation of all people across racial divides and international borders.
Back home, UPDF deserves the goodwill of all citizens for a successful mission. Its success will be counted on all Ugandans and not just the officers and men on the ground. It’s a gift from us to the world!
The writer is special presidential assistant, press and mobilisation/deputy press secretary, State House
Uganda, together with Morocco, are representing Africa. Global conflicts have always affected all humanity, with Africa having no say in them, waiting on the sidelines while the “powers” decide the direction those conflicts take on their own terms. In the Ukraine-Russia war, Africa has had no say; in the Iran-USA-Israel war, the same case. The trend means that Africa’s voice will always be ignored, probably because of the historical underdog status the continent has been relegated to. Some Africans aren’t concerned about this and would rather remain passive participants in global affairs. Museveni’s position is that Africa should seek to play a powerful role as a basis for gaining equal rights in international geopolitics. Through trade rather than aid and contributing to global peace and security efforts like the one at hand, Africa may finally be waking up and taking its place at the table.
In June, when the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending their fight (since February), some of us wished that Africa had been part of the negotiations to guarantee better outcomes. Even in the Gaza ceasefire talks of October last year, much as they were held in Egypt, Africa’s role was minimal. However, the invitation to help enforce the peace plan in Gaza is an opportunity to justify why Africa should never be ignored in future engagements.
Our push and call for dialogue should be amplified and celebrated for the selfless, pro-people and neutral spirit of humanity behind it. Africa’s role at this level also comes with the benefit of potentially helping de-escalate nuclear proliferation, which is the biggest threat to global peace at the moment. Africa isn’t involved in the nuclear weapons race. Africa stands for peace, the use of nuclear energy for peaceful means, harmonious co-existence and development and transformation of all people across racial divides and international borders.
Back home, UPDF deserves the goodwill of all citizens for a successful mission. Its success will be counted on all Ugandans and not just the officers and men on the ground. It’s a gift from us to the world!
The writer is special presidential assistant, press and mobilisation/deputy press secretary, State House