ENTEBBE — Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on August 1 presided over the unveiling of a memorial monument dedicated to Lt. Col. Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu at the historic Old Entebbe Terminal, the site of the July 1976 hostage rescue operation. UPDF
Yoni Netanyahu, the elder brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commanded the Israeli rescue force during the operation and was the only Israeli soldier killed in the mission. Gen. Kainerugaba said placing the memorial at Entebbe gives the site a permanent place of remembrance for the events and the people whose lives were lost there. UPDF
Speaking at the ceremony, the CDF reflected on the role of memorials in preserving history and transmitting its lessons to future generations.
“Monuments are more than stone and bronze.”
Gen. Kainerugaba said the monument commemorates not only Netanyahu as a soldier, but also values such as courage, duty and the protection of innocent life. He also paid tribute to civilian hostages who died during the 1976 crisis and acknowledged the Ugandan soldiers who were killed during the confrontation. UPDF
The CDF used the occasion to reflect on Uganda’s journey since the Idi Amin era, describing the events of 1976 as having occurred during one of the darkest periods in the country’s history. He contrasted that period with present-day Uganda’s engagement with the international community and its relations with Israel. UPDF
Turning to bilateral relations, Gen. Kainerugaba said the connection between Uganda and Israel now extends far beyond the events that took place at Entebbe five decades ago.
“Our two countries have enjoyed good relations for a long time now.”
He said those relations are based on mutual respect and practical cooperation, and pointed to opportunities for deeper engagement in security, innovation, peace and sustainable development. UPDF
Speaking on behalf of the Israeli delegation, Barack Orland thanked Gen. Kainerugaba for supporting the establishment of the memorial and described it as a symbol of the relationship that has developed between Uganda and Israel. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director General Olive Birungi Lumonya also commended the initiative, describing the monument as a tribute to courage, sacrifice and international friendship. UPDF
The ceremony brought together senior government, military and aviation officials, including Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire, Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi, Brig. Mike Kisame, Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi and Uganda Tourism Board Executive Director Juliana Kaggwa. UPDF
The unveiling places a permanent memorial at one of Uganda’s most internationally recognised historical sites, while also marking the evolution of Uganda–Israel relations from the confrontation of 1976 to present-day diplomatic and security cooperation.
