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Uganda Unveils Memorial to Israeli Hero Yonatan Netanyahu at Entebbe Airport
8/2/2026, 6:50:15 AM
Memorial Unveiling Honors Yonatan Netanyahu
On a Saturday ceremony at the historic Entebbe Airport terminal, Ugandan officials unveiled a stone and bronze memorial dedicated to Lt.-Col. Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, the Israeli commander who was killed during the 1976 rescue operation. The event was overseen by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, who presented the monument as a symbol of the long-standing friendship and security partnership between Uganda and Israel.
Historical Background of the Entebbe Raid
On July 4, 1976, an Air France flight from Tel Aviv was hijacked and diverted to Entebbe, where Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s regime colluded with the terrorists. Israeli commandos launched a rescue mission that freed most of the hostages but resulted in the death of Netanyahu, who led the assault. The raid remains a defining moment in Israeli military history and a source of enduring diplomatic ties.
Uganda-Israel Relations and Official Remarks
Gen. Kainerugaba contrasted the present constitutional democracy of Uganda with the “brutal dictatorship” of Amin’s government, emphasizing that today’s Uganda is committed to international cooperation. He framed the memorial not only as a tribute to Netanyahu’s courage, leadership and sacrifice, but also as a reminder of the values of protecting innocent lives and devotion to duty. The chief also highlighted the broader significance of the monument in preserving memory, teaching history and inspiring future generations.
Casualties and Commemoration
In addition to honoring Netanyahu, the ceremony recalled the hostages who perished: 19-year-old Jean-Jacques Maimoni of Netanya, 52-year-old Dr. Pasco Cohen of Haifa, 56-year-old Ida Borochovitch of Tel Aviv, and 74-year-old Dora Bloch, who was killed after the raid while detained in a Kampala hospital. Ugandan soldiers who died on the same day were also commemorated, underscoring the shared loss remembered by both nations.
