“ON THE SIDE OF ISRAEL”: Uganda’s Military Chief Warns Tehran Against “Talk of Destroying” Israel
KAMPALA / ENTEBBE — In a bold departure from the traditional neutrality of many African nations, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declared on Thursday, March 26, 2026, that Uganda is prepared to enter the war on the side of Israel if the Jewish state faces an existential threat. In a series of provocative posts on X (formerly Twitter), the General—often referred to as Uganda’s “tweeting general”—warned that any attempt to “destroy or defeat” Israel would trigger a military response from Kampala.
“Israel has a right to exist and attacks against her must stop,” Muhoozi stated. “Any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!”
The “Missile for Missile” Retaliation
General Muhoozi, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, went a step further by threatening direct kinetic retaliation against the Islamic Republic if Ugandan interests or territory are targeted.
- Direct Warning to Tehran: “If Tehran dares hit us with missiles, we shall retaliate with our own missiles,” Muhoozi wrote in a post that was widely shared before reportedly being deleted.
- The “Black Man’s” Strategy: In another controversial post, the General claimed that his military advice had been ignored by Western powers, asserting, “We could have captured Tehran in 72 hours without any bombing… but of course they never listen to a black man.”
- Entebbe Symbolism: The General’s pro-Israel stance is deeply rooted in the historical ties between the two nations, notably the 1976 Entebbe Raid. He recently announced plans to build a statue at Entebbe Airport honoring Yonatan Netanyahu, the brother of the current Israeli Prime Minister who was killed during that operation.
Strategic Context: Africa’s Divided Response
Uganda’s vocal support stands in stark contrast to the broader African response to Operation Epic Fury, which has been characterized by “silence” or calls for immediate de-escalation due to the resulting fuel and fertilizer crisis.
| Country / Entity | Stance on the Iran War |
| Uganda (Gen. Muhoozi) | Explicitly Pro-Israel; threatens direct military intervention. |
| South Africa | Highly critical of U.S.-Israeli strikes; calls for UN intervention. |
| Kenya / Ethiopia | Focused on the economic fallout (fuel/fertilizer) caused by the Hormuz blockade. |
| African Union (AU) | Expressed “grave concern” over the risk of a global conflagration; urged a ceasefire. |
Diplomatic Fallout and “Red Lines”
Muhoozi’s rhetoric has caused friction not only with Tehran but also with Washington. In February 2026, U.S. Senator Jim Risch warned that the General’s inflammatory social media posts “crossed a red line,” leading to calls for a reevaluation of U.S. military ties with Uganda.
However, the General remains undeterred, positioning Uganda as a key strategic partner for Israel on the African continent at a time when Iran is being “systematically dismantled” by the Trump-Netanyahu coalition.
What’s Next?
While Uganda’s actual capability to strike Tehran with missiles is questioned by military analysts, the psychological impact of an African nation siding so forcefully with Israel adds a new layer of complexity to the Friday, March 27 deadline. As the U.S. prepares for the “total infrastructure phase” tomorrow, the “Muhoozi variable” signals that the war’s diplomatic front lines are expanding far beyond the borders of the Middle East.