He met Tuesday with President Uhuru Kenyatta on counter-terrorism, energy and agriculture, amid tight security.
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Companies sending executives with Netanyahu include Elbit Systems Ltd., the country’s biggest publicly traded defense contractor; Netafim Ltd., which makes irrigation systems; Magal Security Systems Ltd., a specialist in perimeter security at airports; Israel Chemicals Ltd., a fertilizer producer; and dronemaker Aeronautics Ltd. Israel’s success in the raid humiliated then-Ugandan President Idi Amin.
“Africa has no better friend outside of Africa in the practical needs of security and development than the state of Israel”, he said.
Still, some Ugandans say Mr. Netanyahu’s historic visit should be a moment to mourn the Ugandan victims of the operation. “I believe Israel is coming back to Africa while Africa is also coming back to Israel”, he said.
“It might take a decade, but we will change the automatic majority against Israel”, he said.
“Washington views the Museveni administration as a regional hegemon, a key to the security of the wider region”. In Uganda, the prime minister will meet with leaders from countries as well as Zambia, Tanzania and South Sudan.
“Many of these countries can be said to be military allies of Israel because they also have the threat of radical Islam and terrorist attacks”, said Emmanuel Navon, a political scientist at Tel Aviv University.
“The leaders emphasised the need for increased regional and global cooperation in all fields inclu cyber security”, Mr Mutesa said.
Responding to a question on the possible withdrawal of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from Somalia, President Museveni said that Uganda went to Somalia to support the Transitional Government under the African Union (AU) Mandate and hoped that all stakeholders would work towards building a Somali Army to defend Somalia adding that this has not happened in the 9 years of the presence of UPDF in Somalia. He said Uganda’s government supports a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. “You ought to agree to live side by side in two states”.
Netanyahu’s African trip has generated some controversy at home, due to the large size of his delegation, as well as the personal nature of the visit.
“When terrorism succeeds in one place it spreads to other places”, Netanyahu said at the ceremony.
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Mr. Netanyahu was set to travel to Kenya later on Monday.
