Uganda Unveils Yoni Netanyahu Statue at Entebbe Airport by Artist Itay Zalait

Uganda officially unveiled a bronze statue honoring Yoni Netanyahu at Entebbe Airport, the site where he was killed during the 1976 Israeli hostage rescue operation. The statue was created by Israeli artist Itay Zalait, known for his provocative sculptures, including a golden statue of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. Zalait visited Entebbe Airport to study the location and consulted with former members of the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, which Yoni Netanyahu commanded.

During the unveiling ceremony, Uganda’s military chief, Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the son of the Ugandan president, emphasized the historical importance of commemorating Netanyahu at the exact place of his death. He praised Netanyahu’s leadership and sacrifice as enduring symbols of courage and selfless service. Kainerugaba highlighted that memorials serve not only to honor individuals but also to preserve history and inspire future generations.

Zalait described the statue as "old-school" bronze, depicting Netanyahu in a dynamic pose symbolizing the moment he led the assault and fell in battle. The project took about six months, with ongoing collaboration and approval from Ugandan authorities. Zalait noted the emotional impact of creating a monument at the site of a fallen hero and called the project a "crazy full circle" given his own background in Sayeret Matkal and later training counterterrorism units on the Entebbe operation.

The artist also shared that he engaged with historians and former commandos to capture every detail of Netanyahu’s character and physicality. Zalait’s previous works include the 2020 "Hero of Israel" statue near the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, which became a symbol of protest, and the 2016 golden Netanyahu statue in Tel Aviv, which was removed by city authorities. The Ugandan government has enthusiastically promoted the new statue since announcing it in February 2026.

Summary: Uganda has unveiled a bronze statue of Yoni Netanyahu at Entebbe Airport, created by Israeli artist Itay Zalait, commemorating Netanyahu’s role and sacrifice during the 1976 hostage rescue. The statue was revealed in a ceremony led by Uganda’s military chief, emphasizing its historical and inspirational significance. Zalait, who has a personal connection to the elite unit Netanyahu commanded, designed the statue to capture the moment of Netanyahu’s final battle.

Points: - Uganda unveiled a bronze statue of Yoni Netanyahu at Entebbe Airport, site of his 1976 death. - Israeli artist Itay Zalait, known for politically charged sculptures, created the statue. - Uganda’s military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba praised Netanyahu’s leadership and sacrifice. - Zalait visited Entebbe and consulted with Sayeret Matkal veterans for accuracy. - The statue depicts Netanyahu in a dynamic assault pose, symbolizing his final moments. - The project took six months and was enthusiastically supported by Ugandan authorities.

Topic: security israel_relevant: true entities: {"people":["Yoni Netanyahu","Itay Zalait","Muhoozi Kainerugaba","Benjamin Netanyahu"],"organizations":["Sayeret Matkal","Ugandan military"],"places":["Entebbe Airport","Uganda","Tel Aviv","Jerusalem"]}