KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda is once again in international spotlight as another film about Uganda’s history debuts in movie theatres around the globe.
7 Days in Entebbe is a film inspired by the true events of the 1976 where an Air France flight en route from Tel Aviv to Paris, was hijacked and diverted to Entebbe during the regime of Idi Amin Dada. The film depicts what is dubbed as the “most daring rescue mission ever”.
The 2 hr 46 minutes film is directed by José Padilha who is more known for directing Netflix hit series Narcos. It is rated PG13. It features Rosamund Pike Brigitte Kuhlmann (Gone Girl) and Ben Schnetzer (Captain America: Civil War) who are both big names in the film acting world.
The story
On June 27, 1976, an Air France passenger plane destined to Paris, France from the Israel city, Tel Aviv made a stopover at Athens Airport in Greece. Instead of continuing to its destination, it was hijacked and diverted to Libya where it was refueled. The flight ended up in Entebbe where it landed at about 4am on June 28, 1976. The plane had been hijacked by terrorists claiming to be members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) a Palestinian extremists group. Hostages who were not Isrealis, were three days later released.
When hijackers demanded the release of 53 pro-Palestinian militants from Israel and European prisons, in exchange for the freedom of the captives, the Isreali government planned what is called the most daring rescue mission.
What is in for Uganda?
The film is set to raise curiosity in the tourism world about this historical fact.
UTB Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe called upon tour operators and Entebbe local government to exploit this opportunity to market this destination.
“We take this opportunity to inform the world that Entebbe the home of “7 Days in Entebbe” is ready to receive them,” Mr Asiimwe said, adding, “Arranged tours to the actual sight of the raid at the Old Entebbe Airport are possible for pilgrims, curious tourists and educational tours.
“The bullets resulting from the raid are still in the walls,” he says.
Entebbe Municipal Council, which is home of this historical event, is also Uganda’s gate to the world. It is a tourist town with a number of attractions including the famous Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) which is a window to Uganda’s national parks, Botanical Gardens, a Golf Course, beaches, forests for nature walks, resorts, among others.
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