The Israeli first couple was welcomed by President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni.
Netanyahu’s visit to Uganda is opportune as Israel prepares to repatriate asylum seekers from different African countries into Uganda.
The state visit is also seen as an extra step to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Uganda and other East African countries by encouraging them to set up embassies in Jerusalem.
“Israel is making a big return to Africa, and Africa has already returned to Israel. These are important ties politically, economically and in terms of security,” Netanyahu told Ynet News an Israeli media outlet.
This is the second time the Israel Prime Minister is visiting Uganda.
In July 2016, Netanyahu graced the 40th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, a hostage rescue mission by Israeli commandos at Entebbe Airport of 1976.
The operation aimed to rescue 106 passengers of an Air France flight that was hijacked, Palestinian terrorists.
Israel commandos succeeded in freeing 102 of the hostages, Netanyahu’s brother Yonatan, who steered the mission was killed.
“This is a deeply moving day for me. Forty years ago, they landed in the dead of the night in a country led by a brutal dictator who gave refuge to terrorists.
Today, we landed in broad daylight in a friendly country led by a president who fights terrorists,” he said.
In the coming days, Netanyahu is expected to meet with leaders from Arab-African nations that do not enjoy good relations with Israel.
His Administration is working with the United StatesAmerican to blocker diplomatic relations with Sudan, Chad, Mali and Niger.
This strategic move to counter the overbearing Iranian influence in the Arab world and Africa.
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