THE CASE OF DR. MILTON OBOTE OF UGANDA

• Obote came to power as prime minister of the first post-colonial government of Uganda (October 1962). Obote was a member of the Langi tribe.



• The Ugandan military was divided among several tribes. The Acholi and the Langi (both northern tribes) and a Muslim minority, the Kakwa (also from the north), who were led by Idi Amin Dada.



• From 1966 to 1971, Obote tried to isolate Amin and the Kakwa and promote Langi and Acholi officiers loyal to Obote.



• In 1971, Amin, feeling threatened, overthrew Obote and then purged Langi and Acholi members of the military. He then recruited Muslims. The Ugandan army expanded from 9,000 to 12,000 troops between 1971 and 1973.