The unveiling of a statue honouring Israeli commando Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu at Entebbe International Airport has sparked sharp political reaction, with the son of former Ugandan president Idi Amin strongly criticising the move and its broader implications.
The monument, unveiled on August 3 by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, depicts Netanyahu armed and positioned near the site where he was killed during the 1976 Entebbe raid.
The operation, carried out by Israeli forces, freed hostages from a hijacked Air France flight but also resulted in casualties, including Ugandan soldiers.
In a statement, Amin’s son questioned the decision to memorialise Netanyahu in Uganda, arguing that it reflects a disconnect from Africa’s historical and ideological foundations.
“The unveiling of the statue at Entebbe is evidence of total Pan-African ideological ignorance,” he said.
He maintained that commemorating a figure linked to a foreign military operation on Ugandan soil risks overlooking local perspectives, particularly the loss of Ugandan lives during the raid.
“It is concerning to see a Ugandan making ceremonials to a person for killing Ugandans whose role was to manage a crisis,” he added.
The remarks also touched on Uganda’s global positioning, with Amin’s son urging leaders to remain consistent with anti-colonial and non-aligned principles.
He argued that such symbolic actions could be interpreted as aligning the country with contentious international conflicts.
At the same time, he claimed the decision did not reflect the views of ordinary Ugandans, insisting that the statue was installed without broad public consensus.
“Those erecting this statue are doing so individually, not with the consent of the people,” he said.
The Entebbe raid remains one of the most significant military operations linked to Uganda’s history.
While widely viewed internationally as a successful hostage rescue mission, it continues to generate debate locally, particularly regarding sovereignty, historical memory and foreign intervention.