Events leading to the Lubiri attack
May 23, 2008
THE attack on Mengo on May 24, 1966 was preceded by a number of events. <br>At the dawn of independence, Kabaka Mutesa and Milton Obote were strong allies against the Democratic Party (DP). However, what led to the attack on the Kabaka’s palace at Lubiri?
By Raymond Baguma
THE attack on Mengo on May 24, 1966 was preceded by a number of events.
At the dawn of independence, Kabaka Mutesa and Milton Obote were strong allies against the Democratic Party (DP). However, what led to the attack on the Kabaka’s palace at Lubiri?
Prior to 1962, DP and Obote’s Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) were the main political parties. Another party, Kabaka Yekka (KY), was formed to advance the interests of Buganda Kingdom in the emerging nation. UPC and KY formed an alliance during the 1962 elections and defeated DP.
After the elections, UPC and KY formed a coalition government and Obote, who was the head of UPC, became executive Prime minister. A year later, Obote convinced UPC to support Mutesa to become president.
The alliance, however, turned bitter in 1964 when Obote supported a referendum on the ownership of the lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangayizi.
The constitution fixed the timing of the referendum to which Mutesa was opposed.
The referendum was a defining moment in the relationship between Mutesa and Obote.
From then onwards, the two were not friends.
Early in 1964, Daudi Ochieng moved a motion to investigate Obote, who was implicated in the smuggling of gold, ivory and coffee from the then Zaire with the collaboration of army commander Idi Amin.
Obote’s reaction was a purge on the cabinet, arrests of ministers and suspension of the constitution.
Buganda objected to his decision and Kabaka Mutesa demanded that Obote leaves Buganda’s land.
On May 24, a number of Baganda ex-servicemen converged at the Kabaka’s palace ready for a final showdown to depose the central government from Buganda.
Obote then sent Amin, who commanded the troops that attacked the Kabaka’s palace in Lubiri, forcing Mutesa to flee the country.
THE attack on Mengo on May 24, 1966 was preceded by a number of events.
At the dawn of independence, Kabaka Mutesa and Milton Obote were strong allies against the Democratic Party (DP). However, what led to the attack on the Kabaka’s palace at Lubiri?
Prior to 1962, DP and Obote’s Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) were the main political parties. Another party, Kabaka Yekka (KY), was formed to advance the interests of Buganda Kingdom in the emerging nation. UPC and KY formed an alliance during the 1962 elections and defeated DP.
After the elections, UPC and KY formed a coalition government and Obote, who was the head of UPC, became executive Prime minister. A year later, Obote convinced UPC to support Mutesa to become president.
The alliance, however, turned bitter in 1964 when Obote supported a referendum on the ownership of the lost counties of Buyaga and Bugangayizi.
The constitution fixed the timing of the referendum to which Mutesa was opposed.
The referendum was a defining moment in the relationship between Mutesa and Obote.
From then onwards, the two were not friends.
Early in 1964, Daudi Ochieng moved a motion to investigate Obote, who was implicated in the smuggling of gold, ivory and coffee from the then Zaire with the collaboration of army commander Idi Amin.
Obote’s reaction was a purge on the cabinet, arrests of ministers and suspension of the constitution.
Buganda objected to his decision and Kabaka Mutesa demanded that Obote leaves Buganda’s land.
On May 24, a number of Baganda ex-servicemen converged at the Kabaka’s palace ready for a final showdown to depose the central government from Buganda.
Obote then sent Amin, who commanded the troops that attacked the Kabaka’s palace in Lubiri, forcing Mutesa to flee the country.