Uganda has unveiled a statue of Yonatan Netanyahu, the older brother of Israel’s current prime minister, who was killed during the Entebbe hostage rescue mission 50 years ago.
Uganda’s army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said the monument honoured Netanyahu’s courage and self‑less service.
Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier killed in the raid, which rescued over 100 hostages after the plane was hijacked by Palestinians and Germans and diverted to Uganda’s Entebbe airport.
The figure, standing with a machine gun in hand, faces forward outside the old terminal where the operation took place.
The statue’s unveiling is a reminder of the sacrifices made for safety and the power of cooperation between Uganda and Israel.
- Three hostages died during the operation.
- Dora Bloch, who was treated in Kampala, was later murdered.
- At least 45 Ugandan soldiers also died fighting with the Israelis.
“May these memories inspire future generations in the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity,” the army chief said.
Kainerugaba portrayed the mission as “one of the most significant episodes in modern history” and urged awareness of the past to strengthen the present partnership that now thrives on mutual trust and cooperation between Uganda and Israel.
The statue stands as a testament not only to the event’s historical significance but also to the enduring ties that shape Uganda’s path toward a collaborative future.
