Liberation time-line

Apr 10, 2002

January 25, 1971: Amin takes over power, while Obote is in Commonwealth Heads of State Summit in Singapore. Announces almost immediately that he will return Kabaka Mutesa 1 for burial in Uganda, a promise he accomplishes in his first few months in office.

January 25, 1971: Amin takes over power, while Obote is in Commonwealth Heads of State Summit in Singapore. Announces almost immediately that he will return Kabaka Mutesa 1 for burial in Uganda, a promise he accomplishes in his first few months in office.January 26, 1971: Obote seeks asylum in Tanzania. Other political elite join him immediately. Many more remain behind because of the apparent good humour of Amin. Many countries rush to congratulate Amin and strengthen ties. Nyerere refuses to recognise or negotiate with Amin.1972/73: Amin declares an economic war, expelling Ugandan and non-Ugandan Asians and whites alike. Creates Mafuta Mingis (plenty of wealth) by distributing the wealth of expelled foreigners to his political cronies, religious counterparts, and fellow armed thugs.1972/73: First incursions by anti-Amin forces into Uganda, mainly through the Tanzanian border town of Mutukula. Museveni’s name first mentioned in connection with the incursions, plus others such as Mawumbe Mukhwana.1974/76: Many Mafuta Mingis fail at business. Factories close; main street shops stocking bananas instead of high-value goods. Queuing for rationed commodities (sugar, soap, paraffin, etc) becomes more marked. Preference is given to those close to the regime.1975/76: Amin becomes OAU chairman after a colourful summit in Kampala, which eats deeper into the ordinary Ugandan’s livelihood.August 1976: Amin discovers that at the time of the 1884 Berlin Conference, Uganda was considered to stretch from the Eastern Rift Valley and the Western Rift Valley. He assumes land was ‘stolen’ by the British and given to Kenya. Amin thinks he can solve Uganda’s economic problems by reclaiming Kenyan industries up to Nakuru. An increasingly frail Kenyatta reacts by marshalling forces up to Malaba and tapping off Uganda’s oil imports. EAC crumbles. Uganda is declared Islamic state.August 1978: Kenyatta dies; is succeeded by Moi. Amin appears at the funeral unexpectedly, causing chaos. More guerrilla activity around Mutukula.November 2, 1978: Amin invades the Kagera Salient of Tanzania, and declares the Kagera River the new national boundary. In a 25-minute operation, Amin alienates 710 square miles of Tanzania’s most fertile land. His soldiers subsequently loot Bukoba town and massacre civilians. Nyerere resolves to rout out the dictator.November 15, 1978: Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Kikosi Maalum dislodge Amin from Bukoba and recapture Mutukula by November 28. Ateker Ejalu’s Save Uganda Movement and Yoweri Museveni’s Front for National Salvation simultaneously cross Uganda’s border areas in Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese, and Tororo, often disorganising the EAEC exams.November 16, 1978: Nigerian president General Olusegun Obasanjo offers to mediate between Nyerere and Amin. By 28th of same months EAEC exams officially end when some candidates have missed papers because of the situation. January 21, 1979: Kikosi Maalum enters Uganda through Mirama Hills border.February 2, 1979: Twenty-five lorries are hired to carry dead Ugandan soldiers from Mirama Hills. Amin insists he is in full control of the situation.February 14, 1979: State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Matiya Lubega, briefs diplomats, alleging that Kikosi Maalum has combined forces with mercenaries to invade Uganda.February 16, 1979: An attempt by Kikosi Maalum and Ugandan exiles to capture Kampala through Lake Victoria is foiled when the boat they are using is blown up. Many die. Libyan forces seen fighting alongside Amin.February 27, 1979: Moi and Obasanjo send peace mission to Nyerere. Nyerere spends 75 minutes lecturing peace mission on the ills of Idi Amin.February 28, 1979: Masaka town falls to Kikosi Maalum. Both school and out of school youth mobilised to join the forces and rout out Amin as EAEC releases EACE results.March 1979: War just past Lukaya. Moshi Unity Conference convened by Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere.April 11, 1979: Entry into Kampala as Amin exits.June 3, 1979: Koboko, Amin’s own home town, is liberated. The combined forces reach Sudan border.ends

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