Uganda after British Involvement

Uganda first came to the attention of the world in the 1830’s. Arab traders had moved inland from the Indian Sea and ‘discovered’ the African nation. Uganda was already colonized in many places however, with many kingdoms and well developed politics. In the 1860’s British followed suit and arrived in Uganda searching for the source of the Nile. Once explorers arrived it wasn’t long after that religious missionaries appeared on the scene. In 1894 the British took formal control over the country bordering Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Congo and Tanzania. The British ruled until 1962, cash cropping the land, especially for cotton. The British pulled out of Uganda because of harsh economic times and left the country with out a strong government. In March 1962 Uganda elected Benedicto Kiwanuka as the country’s first Prime Minister. This was only because Catholic Ugandan’s were the only ones to vote. One month later the Protestants also joined in on the choosing of a government, and Milton Obote defeated Kiwanuka. He led the nation to independence in October 1962. In 1966 he named himself President obtaining full power over Uganda. It was a relatively quiet time in Uganda during his reign. He ruled until Idi Amin seized power in 1971. Amin worked his way up in the army since 1946 and gained position of Commander of the Ugandan Army. On January 25, 1971 Obote was at a meeting in Singapore, and Amin took his chance. He surrounded Obote’s office and accused the leader of corruption. He also stated that he would just be caretaker of the nation while new elections were being set. He also said he would bring the nation back to its democratic ways as soon as possible, and free many political prisoners. Both Ugandan citizens and international crowds were welcoming to Amin. One week after seizing power he declared himself President and head of Uganda’s military. He appointed many soldiers to top government positions, and created a new intelligence agency, which would be the site of much torture in the coming years. Amin, from the beginning, tried to rid his problems in one way: killing. Many times he would you could see numerous bodies floating down the Nile. He killed opposition, religious groups, ethnic groups, bureaucrats, judges, lawyers, students and more. Amin also kicked out all 80,000 Asians living in Uganda. Most of who were of Indian descent. 20,000 of them were Ugandan citizens. Only professionals such as doctors and teachers were allowed to stay. Many owned businesses, which were run to the ground when handed over to supporters. Thus just adding to the woeful economic times. Because of Amin’s actions many nations severed ties with Dictator. In 1976 a French airplane was hijacked and allowed to land in Uganda, thanks to the Palestinian nationality of the hijackers. All non-Jews and Israelis were allowed to leave. In total 83 Jewish and Israeli people and 20 others who would not leave. The hostages were eventually rescued by Israel. Amin was humiliated and the UN accused Uganda of breaking sovereign law. Soon after Idi massacred many Kenyans living in Uganda. Many believe it to be because of their aid in the raid. Amin’s reign was just about over, Ugandans everywhere were fleeing and he was getting into more serious problems with nations, declaring wars. Tanzania and Uganda exiles ran Amin out of the country in 1979, before leaving he left a death toll of around 300,000. Milton Obote returned and became President for a second term in 1980. His second term was during the Uganda Bush War, which began because of the allegations of a fixed election. The war waged from 1981- 1986. At the end of it the man who came out was Yoweri Museveni. He has been head of Uganda since 1986 and brought stability and economic growth the East African Nation. A New York Times article called Museveni “…Africa's ‘other statesman,’ second only to the venerated South African President, Nelson Mandela.” Uganda has not been perfect, but when you look at all that has happened to bordering nations and Africa as a whole Uganda has come out of decolonisation on top. It had to go through the rule of one of the world’s most notorious leaders but it still got through it. The future looks brighter for Uganda then many and most third world nations.