UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
around the same time joined forces with
Moses Ali and together they formed the
UNRF, where he fought the capacity
of overall field commander against
the Obote II regime.While Moses
Ali was the official leader, Amin
Onzi was the de facto leader
coordinating operations
251 252
on the ground.
118
44. Uganda National
Rescue Front I
(1980-1985)
Following Amin’s
overthrow, West Nile
civilians were held to
be collectively guilty for
the atrocities committed
during his regime and,
consequently, were
subject to attacks by UNLA
soldiers. The extensive
displacement caused by
UNLA atrocities, resulting in
the forced exile of nearly 80
percent of the population of West
Nile, 253 provided the immediate
context for the formation of the Uganda
National Rescue Front (UNRF I). Established
in 1980, the UNRF consisted of former supporters of
Idi Amin who sought his return to power. This force emerged under the leadership of
Amin’s former Minister of Finance, Brigadier Moses Ali, to fight the Obote Government.
It launched attacks against the Acholi and Banyankole forces of the Uganda National
Liberation Army (UNLA). Although Ali was the official leader of the UNRF, he was in exile
in Pakistan, from where he mobilised external support and resources for the insurgency.
In his absence, Major Amin Onzi was the de facto leader, coordinating operations on
the ground. The UNRF I conflict caused large scale migration, contributing to immense
instability and the break-up of many families.
251 Kakande, J. (2002) Uganda: Amin Onzi dead. All Africa [Internet] 24 April. Available from: < http://allafrica.com/stories/200204240446.html>
[Accessed 21 September 2012]
252 See Refugee Law Project (2004) Negotiating peace: Resolution of conflicts in the Uganda’s West Nile
region, RLP working paper no. 12; Kasasira, R. (2011) UNRF boss family: Army battle over rank. Daily
Monitor [Internet], 6 March. Available from: [Accessed 21 September 2012]
253 Refugee Law Project (2004) Negotiating peace: Resolution of conflicts in the Uganda’s West Nile region,
RLP working paper no. 12, p. 8