New Delhi: Leaked internal documents have shed new light on a years-long military and security relationship between Israel and Uganda, including major deals for surveillance drones, intelligence systems and military infrastructure.
According to an investigation by Drop Site News, Israeli defence manufacturer Elbit Systems supplied the Ugandan military with an expanding fleet of Hermes surveillance drones, along with advanced surveillance and intelligence systems intended for Uganda’s Military Intelligence and Special Forces Command (SFC).
The revelations come as Uganda prepares to deploy troops to the Gaza Strip as part of a proposed international “stabilization force.” Uganda’s parliament approved the deployment last month, while the government has yet to publicly provide detailed information about the precise role its forces would play in Gaza.
$52.1 million Hermes 900 deal
Among the documents reviewed by the investigation is a March 2024 contract worth $52.1 million for four Hermes 900 drones and supporting infrastructure. The agreement also reportedly included Elbit’s SkEye wide-area surveillance system and ground-based surveillance equipment.
Earlier documents show that Uganda’s drone programme with Elbit dates back to at least 2019. A September 2021 proposal valued a package involving two new Hermes 900 drones, maintenance of a Hermes 450, ground-control systems, training and technical support at $16.1 million, rising to approximately $18.4 million with additional support.
Surveillance and strike capabilities
The leaked material indicates that the cooperation extended beyond conventional drone sales. The documents refer to systems capable of continuous wide-area surveillance, communications interception and radar imaging at night and through cloud cover.
They also mention SkyStriker, an Israeli loitering munition designed to locate and strike targets, as well as the AES-210 electronic-intelligence system. Another internal Elbit presentation reportedly discussed preparations for weapons-dropping operations involving Lizard 3, a laser-guidance system marketed for converting conventional bombs into precision-guided weapons.
Growing Israel-Uganda security relationship
The disclosures come amid increasingly close security ties between Kampala and Tel Aviv. The two countries signed a formal defence-cooperation agreement in 2022.
Uganda’s possession of the Hermes 900 became publicly known in February 2022 after Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni and Uganda’s current military chief, posted footage showing Ugandan soldiers alongside the aircraft. A UN report later identified a drone bearing Ugandan markings that crashed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024 as a Hermes 900.
Elbit rejects accuracy of leaked material
Elbit Systems declined to comment on its business dealings with individual customers. However, a company spokesperson said the materials cited in the investigation “do not accurately reflect the company’s business activities.” Uganda’s government did not respond to the questions raised by the investigation.
Times Headline Note: The report is based primarily on leaked emails and documents reviewed by Drop Site News.