Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara arrive at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda, February 3, 2020. Photo| Courtesy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara landed at Entebbe International Airport on Monday for a one-day visit, where he is set to meet with leaders of several East African countries.
He was received by Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and Hon Oryem Henry Okello, the Member of Parliament, Chwa East and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs).
The Israel leader says his visit is aimed at strengthening the diplomatic relations between his country and Uganda.
“These are very important diplomatic, economic and security ties that will yet be told about. Today, I am traveling to Uganda. We are strengthening ties with this country. At the end of the day, I hope we will have very good news for the State of Israel.” Netanyahu said before taking off from Tel Aviv.
“Israel is returning to Africa in a big way; Africa has already returned to Israel,” he added.
Mr Ofwono Opondo, the executive director of Uganda Media Centre on Saturday revealed that the high-level bilateral visit will see Netanyahu meet Uganda President Yoweti Kaguta Museveni.
The Jerusalem Post say Netanyahu is reportedly working to see that Uganda opens an embassy in Jerusalem.
It should be noted that in July 2016, he was part of a ceremony in Uganda to mark the 40th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, a hostage rescue by Israeli commandos at Entebbe Airport in 1976.
The operation, which aimed to rescue 106 passengers of an Air France flight that was hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, succeeded in freeing 102 of the hostages. Netanyahu’s brother Yonatan, who led the mission, was killed.
‘Uganda regards Israel as the mother of Christianity’
Speaking to CBN News recently, Pastor Drake Kanaabo, who ministers at the Redeemed of the Lord Evangelistic Church Makerere said, “On a spiritual level, Uganda regards Israel as the mother of Christianity.”
“Ugandan Christians are no longer standing on one leg for Israel, but two – in prayer and action. Israel is the only first-world country that is near to Uganda and Africa.”
What other Christian leaders say
The Uganda Christian Coalition for Israel through a release called for the full resumption of diplomatic co-operation between Uganda and Israel, with opening of fully-fledged embassies in Kampala and Jerusalem.
The statement published by state aided newspaper the New Vision on Monday showed a number of faith leaders speak of Israel in high regard.
“We learn from the Bible that God divided inheritance for the nations, starting with Israel. It is like buttoning a shirt; when the first button is the right hole, others will fit correctly. Therefore, it is very important that Uganda as a nation relates properly to Israel,” Pastor Laban Jumba, the Eastern Africa co-ordinator for Intercessors for Africa, said
Bishop Joshua Lwere, the general overseer of the National Fellowship of Born again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, said: “God has two covenant peoples — Israel and the rest of us. He promises that MagaraHe will bless all nations that bless Israel. Jeremiah describes Jerusalem as a prophetic city. Taking our embassy to Jerusalem would be prophetic because it is an eternal city. It is a contact point for all nations.”
Dr. James Magara, the chairperson of Intercessors for Uganda, said: “The people of Israel gave us the patriarchs, the law, the prophets, the holy scriptures, and the Messiah — Lord Jesus Christ. In the early years of our Independence, Israel brought a lot of value into Uganda in agriculture, civil works, medicine, trade, and the development of the economy. It has been our prayer for many years that full diplomatic relations be restored.”
Bishop Joel Obetia, a senior lecturer at Uganda Christian University and a retired bishop of Madi West Nile Diocese said: “An embassy in Jerusalem would be good. It would be prophetic. Jesus Christ was a refugee at the top of a river (Nile) that begins here in Uganda, and, therefore, Uganda has contributed to the salvation story. I led five pilgrimages to Israel, and each time my faith would grow. Netanyahu’s coming will strengthen us.”
Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrival in Photos.
Photos are all courtesy.
