Gen Kainerugaba unveils Yoni Netanyahu monument at old Entebbe terminal, highlights Uganda-Israel relations
Yoni Netanyahu, the elder brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the commander of the Israeli special forces unit that carried out the 1976 Entebbe raid to rescue hostages held at the airport. He was killed during the operation.
Entebbe, Uganda — August 1, 2026
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has unveiled a memorial monument dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu at the historic Old Entebbe Terminal, describing the memorial as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and renewed friendship between Uganda and Israel.
Yoni Netanyahu, the elder brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the commander of the Israeli special forces unit that carried out the 1976 Entebbe raid to rescue hostages held at the airport. He was killed during the operation.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony on Saturday, Gen. Kainerugaba said the location held deep historical significance as the place where Yoni Netanyahu lost his life while leading the rescue mission.
“It is a great honor and privilege to join you at this historic site as we unveil this monument to Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Netanyahu, the courageous commander of the Israeli rescue force whose leadership and ultimate sacrifice during the Entebbe raid of 4th July 1976 has become an enduring symbol of courage, duty, and selfless service,” he said.
The CDF said the monument goes beyond remembering one soldier, adding that it represents values shared by humanity, including bravery, protection of innocent lives, and commitment to duty.
“Monuments are more than stone and bronze. They preserve memory, teach history, and inspire future generations,” Gen. Kainerugaba said.
He also paid tribute to the civilian hostages who died during the 1976 crisis, including Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pasco Cohen, Ida Borochovitch, and Dora Bloch, saying their memory remains an important part of the history surrounding the event.
Gen. Kainerugaba further acknowledged the Ugandan soldiers who died during the confrontation, while distancing present-day Uganda from the government of former President Idi Amin, under whose rule the incident occurred.
He described Amin’s government as a “brutal dictatorship” that did not represent the Ugandan people, noting that Uganda has since transformed into a constitutional democracy committed to peaceful cooperation with the international community.
“The events that unfolded here in July 1976 remain one of the most significant episodes in modern history. They occurred during one of the darkest periods in our country’s history. Today, however, Uganda is a constitutional democracy committed to peaceful coexistence and constructive engagement,” he said.
The CDF reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening relations with Israel, saying the partnership between the two countries extends beyond the events of 1976 and is based on mutual respect and cooperation.
“As we look to the future, we remain committed to deepening our cooperation across all areas of mutual interest while working together to advance peace, security, innovation, and sustainable development,” Gen. Kainerugaba said.
The unveiling of the monument marks another chapter in Uganda-Israel relations, decades after the Entebbe hostage rescue operation became one of the most notable military missions in modern history.
