Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief and son of the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni said in a series of social media posts over the past week that he would support Israel in its war against Iran, including offering Ugandan troops, as he called for an end to the conflict while warning against threats to Israel.

“We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it. But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!” Kainerugaba wrote.

We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it. But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!

— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) March 25, 2026

In additional posts, Kainerugaba framed his support in religious terms, writing, “We stand with Israel because we are Christians,” and adding, “Uganda is the David that was forgotten and neglected by the world. We will defeat the giant, Goliath.”

He also urged Israel to launch a ground invasion of Iran and said Ugandan forces could take part.

Responding to criticism of his statements, Kainerugaba wrote that Israel had supported Uganda in earlier decades, saying, “Israel stood with us when we were nobodies in the 1980s and 1990s. Why wouldn’t we defend her now that our GDP is $100 billion? One of the largest in Africa.”

Israel has maintained military and intelligence ties with Uganda and has trained Ugandan soldiers, including Kainerugaba.

Relations between the two countries were not always close. During the rule of dictator Idi Amin, Uganda was the site of the 1976 hijacking of Air France Flight 139, which had departed from Tel Aviv for France before being diverted to Entebbe Airport.

Israeli forces carried out a long-range rescue mission on July 3, 1976, freeing 106 mostly Israeli hostages.

Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, brother of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the only casualty in the operation and was later honored for his bravery.

This is a sneak peek of the ‘Yoni’ statue that will soon be unveiled at Entebbe International Airport. Godbless Uganda and Israel. pic.twitter.com/vGXStZvydo

— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) March 26, 2026

Kainerugaba also shared a photo of a statue of Yoni Netanyahu, writing, “This is a sneak peek of the ‘Yoni’ statue that will soon be unveiled at Entebbe International Airport. Godbless Uganda and Israel.”