Explained: Why Uganda Erected a Statue of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Brother

Uganda’s military has unveiled a statue of Israeli commander Yoni Netanyahu, brother to Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu at the old Entebbe Airport terminal, with Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba saying the monument honours his leadership and sacrifice during the 1976 rescue mission.

The army unveiled the statue on August 1, 2026, nearly 50 years after the Entebbe raid.

Kainerugaba used the ceremony to highlight the historical significance of the site and the events that unfolded there in 1976.

“It is a great honour 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,” Kainerugaba said

Why Uganda Erected the Statue of Yoni Netanyahu

Kainerugaba described the monument of Yoni Netanyahu as a tribute to values such as courage, duty, and sacrifice rather than nationality. He said the statue would help future generations learn from these principles.

“Monuments are more than stone and bronze. They preserve memory, teach history, and inspire future generations. This monument, therefore, carries significance far beyond commemorating one brave individual,” he said.

Kainerugaba also explained that the memorial represents values that extend beyond the life of one soldier.

“Today, this memorial stands not only in remembrance of a distinguished soldier, but also as a tribute to the enduring values he embodied: courage in the face of danger, unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives, and steadfast devotion to duty,” he added.

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What Happened During the Entebbe Raid

The story behind the monument dates back to 1976 when Palestinian and German militants hijacked an Air France flight heading to Paris and diverted it to Uganda.

The hijackers demanded the release of prisoners held in Israel and other countries, including West Germany, Switzerland and Kenya.

Israeli commandos later launched a night-time operation at Entebbe Airport and rescued 102 hostages.

However, the mission came at a cost in that Yoni Netanyahu died during the raid, alongside three hostages and 45 Ugandan soldiers.

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Tribute to Victims

Meanwhile, Kainerugaba also remembered the civilian hostages who died during the July 1976 crisis.

He named Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pasco Cohen, Ida Borochovitch, and Dora Bloch before honouring their memory.

“As we gather here, we also respectfully remember the innocent hostages who lost their lives during those tragic events. Their memory remains an important part of this solemn history,” he said.

Historical Context

However, the Entebbe raid remains controversial, especially across Africa, as in 1976, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of today’s African Union, condemned the operation as “an act of aggression” and said it violated Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The decision to honour Yoni Netanyahu on Ugandan soil has therefore reopened discussions about how countries remember historical events.

Uganda now highlights his leadership and sacrifice while acknowledging the wider controversy surrounding the raid.

The unveiling has sparked reactions online, with critics questioning why Uganda is honouring a foreign military commander instead of its own national heroes.

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Photo of of the statue of Yoni Netanyahu and Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba alongside other guests during the unveiling of the monument on August 1, 2026 at the old Entebbe Airport terminal. PHOTO/ Tv One Uganda