Entebbe Hijacking Condemned as Terrorism by Defense Spokesperson During Hostage Visit

Uganda’s defense spokesperson, Colonel Chris Magezi, has strongly condemned the 1976 hijacking at Entebbe International Airport, classifying it as a “terrorist act” against innocent civilians. His remarks came as he welcomed a delegation of former Israeli and Belgian hostages, along with their families, who returned to Uganda nearly 50 years later.

The delegation visited the old airport terminal, the site of the historic hijacking and the subsequent Israeli rescue mission, for a tour focused on remembrance and reconciliation.

Colonel Magezi emphasized that such an event should never be repeated. He highlighted that while the hijacking remains a painful historical event, the daring rescue operation that followed significantly bolstered Uganda’s relationship with Israel, paving the way for extensive cooperation that continues today.

“We share a lot with Israel, especially in military technical cooperation, intelligence sharing, and civilian sectors such as agriculture, information technology, and the global fight against terrorism,” Magezi stated, underscoring the depth of bilateral ties. He noted Uganda’s appreciation for Israel’s experience in handling persistent security challenges.

Gilbert Weill, a former hostage who was part of the visiting group, described the trip as a “journey of healing and remembrance.” He expressed a desire to honor those lost during the incident and looked forward to experiencing a taste of Uganda he remembered from his captivity, specifically its yellow bananas.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Belgium, Mirjam Blaak Sow, remarked that the visit symbolizes reconciliation and the strengthening of historical and cultural ties between the three nations.