Uganda is considering new plans to support its troops as its mission in Somalia nears its end, with reports suggesting Kampala could discuss the possibility of sending Ugandan troops to the Gaza Strip, with support from the United States.

According to an official named Williams, Uganda and its allies will discuss ways to secure financial and military support, with a view to the end of the Somalia mission.

He said sending Ugandan troops to Gaza, with US support, is among the options being considered.

The report also suggests that the idea has moved beyond preliminary discussions, after a Ugandan military official familiar with the plan said that a selection of troops could be sent to Gaza has begun.

However, it is not yet clear what type of mission Ugandan troops would carry out in Gaza, the number of troops planned, and the exact timing of the operation.

The plan comes at a time when countries with military forces operating abroad face challenges in funding, equipping and sustaining their forces.

The US support for the Ugandan troops in Gaza could, according to reports, be an additional source of funding and military equipment.

If implemented, the Ugandan troops in Gaza could become a new part of international and regional security plans for Gaza, especially in efforts to define the possible role of foreign forces in the post-conflict period.

Uganda has long had troops in Somalia, as part of the African Union mission supporting the Somali government and the fight against Al-Shabaab. Now, with the future of that mission changing, Kampala is looking for new opportunities to support and fund its troops.