Uganda installs monument to Yonatan Netanyahu, hero of 1976 Entebbe raid
Uganda has unveiled a statue of Yonatan Netanyahu, the Israeli commander killed during the 1976 Entebbe rescue, as a symbol of the nations' growing partnership.
Uganda's military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, presided over the unveiling of a statue honoring Yonatan Netanyahu, the older brother of Israel's prime minister, who was killed in the 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue. The sculpture, depicting Netanyahu advancing with a machine gun, stands beside the old airport terminal where Israeli commandos stormed the hijacked Air France flight. Kainerugaba described the raid as a pivotal moment in modern history and praised the courage of both the Israeli forces and the Ugandan soldiers who fought, acknowledging the latter's service under Idi Amin's regime.
He also recalled the three hostages who died during the operation and Dora Bloch, who was murdered later in Kampala. The ceremony underscored the transformation of Uganda-Israel ties from a painful chapter to a partnership built on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.
Why it matters
The monument signals a diplomatic shift, highlighting strengthened Uganda-Israel ties and a shared remembrance of a historic anti-terrorism operation.
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