UGANDA

was never carried out.
NATIONAL CONFLICTS
The death of Okoya occurred immediately after the mysterious
death of another Acholi soldier, Colonel Omoya. Taken together,
these incidents were viewed by many Acholi soldiers as evidence
of a plot by Obote (a Langi) and Amin (a West Niler) against the
Acholi, thereby increasing anti-Obote sentiment in the army
which contributed to setting the stage for Obote’s overthrow in
1971.
Prior to his death, Okoya had violently quarrelled with Amin about
the general’s behaviour following the attempted assassination
of Obote, accusing him of desertion and cowardice. 121 When
the Brigadier and his wife were shot a few weeks later, Amin
was accused of having a hand in the assassination. Participants
cited this event as a turning point in Uganda’s history because
it heightened mistrust of the Central Government in the Acholi
sub-region, and continues to be a source of bitterness and
conflict. 122
14. Amin’s Coup against President Milton Obote
(1971)
121 Jørgensen, J. (1981) Uganda: a modern history. New York, St. Martin’s Press
122 Research conducted in Kitgum and Gulu Districts
77