The History Of Uganda and it's 22 year Civil War Part 2:

In January of 1971 Milton Obote travelled to Singapore for a Commonwealth meeting. Idi Amin saw his opportunity to act and did just that, seizing control of Uganda.  Amin's imminent plans of staging a coup and overtaking Obote created a trepidation that had gripped Obote in the months leading up to Amin's attack. Had Amin chosen to stage his coup with Obote still in Uganda He may not have escaped with his life. After the attack Obote took refuge in Tanzania, and remained there for the duration of Idi Amin's bloody and socially and economically devasting reign.  

Initially Amin's overthrow and his seizure of the rule of Uganda was welcomed not only by Ugandan's but also by a large majority of the International Community. However, it didn't take long for Amin's charm and seemingly compelling charisma to give way to his vicious cruelty and exponential paranoia. Months after Amin seized control, Obote, with the help of supporters he still had in the Ugandan army who were predominately from the Acholi & Lango ethnic groups made an attempt to regain control from Amin but were unsuccessful. 

Amin retaliated by bombing various towns throughout Tanzania as well as expelling all remaining Acholi and Lango troops serving in the Ugandan Army. As Amin's paranoia increased so did the ferociousness of his actions against both soldiers and citizens. The Nile Mansions Hotel In Uganda's Capital city Kampala became infamous as his personal Interrogation and Torture centre.  These early actions bred fear in Ugandan's that enveloped the entire country. However, all of this could not have prepared them for the atrocities and injustice yet to come, and how damaging and annihilative his time as President was to Uganda's development, stability and struggle to exist as a nation free from tyranny and social & political injustice

The History Of Uganda and it's 22 year Civil War Part 1

Since the war began in Uganda 22 years ago 1.7 million people have been forced into IDP (Internally Displaced Person) Camps. Thousands of the children currently living in the numerous IDP camps were born in these camps, and have known nothing more than the struggle, hardship, fear & abuse that comes with living in these camps. However, there was a time when Ugandans lived freely in the beauty of the Nation they called home. Uganda is a country that has a long history of political and economic struggles.  It has known times of peace and stability but it didn't typically last. Uganda was released from British control and granted Independence in 1962. Uganda's Struggle to find economic and domestic stability has been perpetually nullified by the seemingly constant Political unrest. 

When Uganda gained independence the Nation was to be Co-Governed by two men. Kabaka Mutesa II became Uganda's first president and Milton Obote was named Uganda's Prime Minister. 4 Short years later Milton Obote with the help of a young Colonel Idi Amin seized control from President Mutesa II. Upon his seizure of both roles Obote had legislation passed that combined both positions. Obote was appointed to fill the new role the same day it was created.  After an assassination attempt in December of 1969 Obote had all ten political opposition leaders arrested and all opposition parties were banned. Obote was becoming increasingly afraid of being overthrown in the same way he had taken power. Despite his Best efforts to prevent it the end of his time as President was quickly approaching.