UGANDA

NATIONAL CONFLICTS
pre-Independence power, privileges and status. 111 This was perhaps most evident in the
Kabaka Crisis of 1966, 112 as described above, an event that deepened the divide between
the Central Government and Buganda and permanently weakened the Kingdoms,
despite President Museveni’s attempt at their revival in 1993. 113
PHASE III: Failure of the Nation, Establishment of the State
Through Militarism (Post-Kabaka Crisis: 1966 – 1971)
In the early post-Independence years, efforts were made to establish Uganda not
only as a state but also as a ‘nation’, even if only based on civic nationalism.
Ugandans sung a national anthem, hoisted a national flag and depended on
a national army for the protection of their borders. In an attempt to ensure a
power monopoly, kingdoms were abolished. Nonetheless, Uganda appeared not
as a nation-state, but as a state comprising many nations competing for power.
Soon, the army was deployed to quell such challenges to power and became
an instrument not only to protect the national borders, but also to ensure the
survival of the state and the regime that embodied it. With the increasing role of
the military as a power broker, the competition between different ethnicities also
entered the army, contributing to the downfall of Uganda’s first regime.
12. Ethnic tensions within the army leadership between Acholi, Langi
and West Nilers (1966-1971)
During Obote’s regime a tangle of ethnically based conflicts emerged within the national
army. 114 These were manifest through unfair promotions and demotions, favouritism
along ethnic lines, and the mysterious deaths of army officers (such as Brigadier Pierino
Yere Okoya and Colonel Omoya). 115 Obote appointed Idi Amin Army Commander in
response to rising tensions over leadership in the army between the Acholi, Langi and
West Nilers. 116 Amin’s appointment, which was intended to sideline the Acholi generals
in the army, 117 also created enmity between the inhabitants of these three regions. In
many respects, Obote favoured the Langi in the army and later the Kakwa over the Acholi.
111 i-Uganda. (no date provided) Kingdoms of Uganda –Our Historical Roots Explained [Internet], Available
from: < http://www.i-uganda.com/kingdoms-of-uganda.html#.U4R5ili1asA> [Accessed on 13 September
2012)
112 Phares, M. (1992) Uganda since independence, a story of unfulfilled hopes. Kampala, Fountain Publishers
Ltd
113 Johannessen, C. (2005) The legal and institutional context of the 2006 elections in Uganda: Kingship
in Buganda. Research Notes. Chr. Michelsen Institute & Makerere University [Internet], Available
from:
[Accessed 13 September 2012].
114 Okuku, J. (2002) Ethnicity, state power and the democratization process in Uganda. Discussion Paper No.
17, Nordic Africa Institute [Internet], Available from: [Accessed
on 17 September 2012].
115 Research conducted in Gulu District
116 Research conducted in Arua District
117 Phares, M. (1992) Uganda since independence, a story of unfulfilled hopes. Kampala, Fountain Publishers
Ltd.
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