UG@59: Key events from 1962 to 1973

Oct 09, 2021

1972 January 5: Amin tells off 15 Asian representatives that Uganda was not an Indian country.

Prime minister Milton Obote (with walking cane) and other dignitaries watch an air show at Kololo Airstrip on October 9, 1962.

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INDEPENDENCE | #UgandaAt59 | CELEBRATIONS

KAMPALA - Uganda became independent on October 9, 1962, with Apollo Milton Obote as the Prime MinisterNew Vision takes stock of events in the first decade.

1962 October 9: Uganda attains independence with Apolo Milton Obote as the Prime Minister. The instruments of power were handed to him by Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent. 

October 15: The United Nations Security Council votes to admit Uganda into the United Nations.

1963 October 8:  Following the amendment of the 1962 Constitution, the National Assembly elects the Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II, the first president of Uganda and Kyabazinga of Busoga, Wilberforce Nadiope becomes the vice-president.

1964 January 14: The three East African leaders (Jomo Kenyatta - Kenya, Julius Nyerere - Tanzania and Milton Obote  - Uganda) meet in Dar-es-Salaam to discuss federation and the East African Common Services Organisation. Obote had a year earlier slowed down pursuit of the East African Federation because the Buganda Lukiiko was opposed to it.

January 30: Army mutiny in Jinja, over conditions of service and Africanisation. The soldiers take defence minister Felix Onama hostage. In response, the government increases salaries and appoints Col. Shaban Opolot as army commander.

June 6: Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Kabaka Yekka (KY) alliance begin to develop cracks as several KY members of the National Assembly cross to UPC, pushing its strength to 58 from 34.

November 4: The referendum over ‘lost counties’ is held and the vote favours the return of the counties to Bunyoro.

November 6: Riots break out in Kampala in protest of the referendum results. Police clashes with rioters in Nakulabye leading to the killing of several civilians. The incident is named the Nakulabye massacre.

November 9: Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi is the new Katikkiro of Buganda. He replaces Michael Kintu who was voted out of office by the Lukiiko for failing to protect Buganda’s sovereignty. 

1965 January 1: The lost counties - Buyaga and Bugangaizi - formally transfer to Bunyoro.

October 8: Obote accuses Uganda People’s Congress secretary general Grace Ibingira of colluding with foreign forces, president Mutesa and army commander Shaban Opolot of plotting to assassinate him. In return, the three also accuse Obote of planning to kill them.

October 9: Mutesa, Opolot and Ibingira skip independence day celebrations.

1966 February 4: Daudi Ochieng moves a motion to probe Prime Minister Obote, defence minister Felix Onama and deputy army commander Col. Idi Amin for illegal smuggling of ivory and gold from Zaire (DR  Congo). 

February 22: Prime minister Obote orders the arrest of five ministers - Grace Ibingira, B.K Kirya, George Magezi, Mathias Ngobi and Dr. E.B.S Lumu for supporting Daudi Ochieng’s motion in Parliament.

February 24: Obote announces the suspension of the 1962 Constitution and also dismisses the president and vice-president. 

March 4: Obote takes over executive powers previously held by Sir Edward Mutesa. 

April 15: Obote introduces an interim constitution and tells MPs to find their copies in their pigeon holes (hence named the Pigeon hole constitution). 

May 20: The Lukiiko passes a resolution asking Obote to remove his government from Buganda soil.

May 24: Obote orders the army to raid the Lubiri (Kabaka’s Palace). Mutesa escapes and flees into exile. 

June 23: Mutesa arrives in London from Burundi where he first stopped as he escaped the army.

July 15: The government frees the five detained ministers (Grace Ibingira, B.K Kirya, George Magezi, Mathias Ngobi and Dr E.B.S Lumu). But they are rearrested two days later and detained under the emergency regulations imposed on Buganda kingdom.

October 7: Army commander Brig. Shaban  Opolot dismissed from the army.

December 15: President Obote announces in Parliament the postponement of elections by five years. Uganda was due to hold its first post-independence elections in 1967.

1967 June 6: Three East African presidents (Jomo  Kenyatta - Kenya, Julius Nyerere - Tanzania and Milton Obote - Uganda) sign a treaty establishing the East African Co-operation.

September 17: A new constitution abolishes all kingdoms (Ankore, Buganda, Bunyoro,  Toro and territorial administration of Busoga) is enacted. Uganda becomes a Republic.
1969 January 5: President Obote announces in London that more than 40,000 Asians in Uganda holding British passports will have to leave.

July 31: Pope Paul VI visits Uganda.

October 8: President Obote introduces the Common Man’s Charter putting Uganda on the socialist path.

November 21: The Kabaka of Buganda, Edward Mutesa, dies in London. 

December 19: President Obote is shot in an assassination attempt during the Uganda People’s Congress delegates’ conference at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

December 20: Government abolishes political parties other than Uganda People’s Congress.

1970 May 1: President Obote makes “The Nakivubo Pronouncement” which empowers government to acquire 60%  shares in 84 major industrial, agricultural and commercial firms.

September 20: Idi Amin promoted to chief of joint staff and commander, Brig. Suleiman Hussein becomes army chief of staff and Col. Juma Musa the chief of air force. 
October 9: Government cancels independence anniversary celebrations as rumours of a military coup spread.

1971 January 25: Idi Amin ousts Obote while he was attending the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting in Singapore.

April 1: Government returns the remains of Kabaka Edward Mutesa and given a state funeral.

October 7: Amin orders census for Asians.

October 10: Amin meets Baganda elders and rejects their demand of restoration of kingdoms.

December 7: Amin cancels more than l2,000 applications for citizenship by Asians.

1972 January 5: Amin tells off 15 Asian representatives that Uganda was not an Indian country. The representative had written to him insisting that their citizenship rights were protected by the Constitution. 

March 30: Amin closes the Israeli embassy and expels all Israelis.

August 4: Amin requests Britain to assume responsibility for British Asian citizens in Uganda.

August 5: Amin announces expulsion of non-Ugandan (British) Asians giving them a three-month deadline to leave the country. 

August 9: Amin extends expulsion to Indian, Pakistani and Bangladesh Asians.

September 17: Uganda guerrillas launch attack from Tanzania.

September 21:  Security operatives drag Chief Justice Benedicto  Kiwanuka from the High Court buildings and was never seen again. 

November 30: Amin orders a census of missionaries and expels them for illegally entering the country.
December 18: Government announces the takeover of all British companies in Uganda.

1973 January 24: Public executions of guerrillas arrested when they launched an attack in September 1972.  The executions by firing squad take place in several towns.

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