Uganda - Pearl of Africa

On January 25, 1971, Obote's government was ousted in a military coup led by armed forces commander Idi Amin Dada. Amin declared himself president, dissolved the parliament, and amended the constitution to give himself absolute power. He awarded himself the title "Conqueror of the British Empire" and "Field Marshall".  

He changed the destiny of the country and its people in a profound manner. In particular, he forced out of Uganda the Asian residents who were made refugees overnight and fled to safety all over the World. 

Many ended up in Britain, America and other parts of Europe. Unfortunately for Uganda itself, Idi Amin's 8-year rule produced economic decline, social disintegration, and massive human rights violations. The Acholi and Langi tribes were particular objects of Amin's political persecution because Obote and many of his supporters belonged to those tribes and constituted the largest group in the army. In 1978, the International Commission of Jurists estimated that more than 100,000 Ugandans had been murdered during Amin's reign of terror; some authorities place the figure much higher.

This site is the Forum for Ugandan and East African Expatriates in Britain and World-wide who would like to recount their history prior to and after the 1972 exodus.

You are invited to send your comments,links, articles and pictures to:

E-mail to - uganda forum

 Contents Page ---> Expatriates page - expatriates displaced in 1972 exodus.