Isaac ssemakadde
The President of the Uganda Law Society, Isaac Ssemakadde, has sharply criticised the Parliament of Uganda following its approval of a motion allowing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to be deployed to Gaza under a proposed multinational peace mission.
In a statement issued Friday, Ssemakadde described the decision as a betrayal of Uganda’s sovereignty, arguing it was driven by foreign influence rather than national interest.
He claimed the deployment arrangement amounts to a “transaction” backed by the United States, questioning both the motive and the transparency behind the move.
“Parliament of Uganda has once again proven that our sovereignty is merely a cheap commodity to be auctioned off,” he said, dismissing official explanations that the mission is aimed at peacekeeping and humanitarian stabilisation.
Uganda’s Parliament earlier approved the deployment following a motion tabled by the Defence Ministry, paving the way for Ugandan troops to join an International Stabilisation Force expected to operate in Gaza if a broader ceasefire framework is implemented.
Government officials have defended the move, citing Uganda’s longstanding role in regional and international peacekeeping missions.
However, Ssemakadde challenged that justification, arguing that powerful nations rarely act out of goodwill.
He warned that Uganda risks being drawn into a conflict that does not directly serve its strategic or economic priorities.
“They say it is for peacekeeping, but powerful nations act out of self-interest,” he said. “Uganda has absolutely no business involving itself in the Gaza conflict.”
The ULS president further alleged that the decision could expose the country to financial mismanagement, claiming that funds tied to the mission risk being misappropriated.
He argued that while the deal may appear beneficial on paper, ordinary Ugandans could ultimately bear the cost.
According to Ssemakadde, the potential consequences include overstretched national resources, reputational risks, and the possibility of Ugandan soldiers being entangled in a protracted foreign conflict.
He maintained that such outcomes would disproportionately affect vulnerable citizens rather than political leaders.
He also criticised the legislative process, saying the approval lacked meaningful public participation. “A handful of MPs decided for all of us. This is not democracy. This is a rubber stamp,” he stated.
Despite his opposition, Ssemakadde expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the Gaza crisis, noting that a genuine settlement would eliminate the need for foreign troop deployments.