I have done my research in the course of writing a book and I failed to find any evidence of the authenticity of the so-called Lango Development Master Plan. Even without trying to be an Obote apologist, I think the so-called LDMP was most likely a poorly done concoction by Amin’s cohorts in trying to justify what he was trying to do against Obote’s kinsmen in the aftermath of the 1971 coup.
You will note that within months of taking power he had removed the only Lango member of his cabinet Yekosafati Engur, whose only qualification for the job was that he was not buddy buddy with his tribesmate Obote. He was replaced by Henry Kyemba who later went on to become minister of health till 1977.
The only high ranking Langi to survive Amin were Kassim Obura Abak (Police, because he was Muslim), Lt Col Abednego Orech Okot (still alive who was director of the army band and of course Amin loved brass band people though he killed Ahmed Oduka but tolerated Orech Okot and Venansio Okello of police. Okello was Acholi.) I have never found out why Amin’s security tolerated Captain Smith Opon Acak until 1977 when he fled or Captain Egwar from Akokoro who stayed on until Amin was overthrown , joined the UNLA and was shot dead by fellow UNLA soldiers in Mbuya barracks in 1980.
But when anybody thinking Amin was after the Langi, to somewhat appear less brutal to Acholi was mistaken as you all know.
I have no evidence that the letter by the Acholi UNLA officer mentioned in New Africa magazine was genuine. However what I do know, with evidence of graying letters I manage to get in the course of my research, was that there was another type of letter that was circulating and being sent to only Acholi officers from around March 1985. Some people claimed the letter, written on duplicating paper, was by NASA trying to scare off some Acholi officers suspected to be working with Bazilio Okello to destabilise President Obote while others suspected it was from a third party wishing to sow discord among UNLA officers with the aim of making things difficult for government.
The copies I got in the course of my research were mailed to Lt. Richard Ochieng and Lt John Okot, both of UNLA Magamaga Ordnance Base Depot, Jinja. It read: “Dear Lt Okot, It has come to our knowledge that you are involved in a distardly machination to try and overthrow the government of Uganda through unconstitutional means. We take this opportunity to warn you to desist from such an act, the consequences of which will be too ghastly to contemplate. Signed. Concerned Ugandans.”
As I said, it was never clear who were behind this kind of communication but bearing in mind the poisoned atmosphere in the then national army, it could have been from anywhere.
This to help some of us who may not have known about such issues.
Cheers
Billie Kadameri
Journalist based in France
Comments
I think before the end of this year, we all need to look into our chests and say that ‘enough is enough’. By enough, I mean, enough of defending the wrong things committed by regimes in the past and present. I have got this feeling that Ugandans will be united when all the current generation between the age bracket 50- 100 years are all dead and buried.
The letter from an Acholi officer and the Lango development plan were sent to the forum as a reminder to some of the UPC supporters that they should stop defending the evils committed by their party because we need to forge a way forward. We are not going to move forward if we behave like former Iraq dictator’s daughters,saddam, who kept calling their dad a very good man after his death despite the fact he killed one of their husbands while still in power.
I personally don’t think that people send all this evidence about UPC atrocities to purposely destroy UPC as a party. These documents serve two purposes:
To remind UPC that they need to rebrand themselves if they are to rejuvenate the party. I’m happy that UPC is now changing its symbols and stuff. I just hope that the name can also be changed to something else. If they don’t change their name, I can see another UPC faction developing and breaking away from the main steam party in the future.
To remind NRMO and Museveni that there are people keeping records that may be used against them in the future. So the best way to avoid this scenario is by respecting the rights of all Ugandans
I’m still hopeful that one day we are going to be one Uganda, One people inishallah as long as the oldies don’t play the ‘Jewish- palestine ‘card on the young generation. At the moment, the wounds of hatred are still fresh:
Ø The south still remembers how Obote tortured Buganda and Banyarwanda. Similarly, the north still remembers how they have suffered under Museveni;
Ø Some elements in the north still want to come back to power by force and this is unacceptable.
Ø The baganda have not forgiven UPC for abolishing their kingdoms and sending their king into exile
Ø The baganda are at the same time bitter that Musveni is slowly but surely turning into Obote. This really hurts so much because Buganda gave Museveni their heart and he has broken it. It is more like divorcing a woman for bad behaviour and replace her with a new one who has promised to treat you right. Then after 15 years of marriage, this woman starts almost to treat you in the same way as the old one to the extent of sleeping with other men (moreover the banyoro business competitors). This hurts more.
But time will come when we have got respect for each other. Nothing is impossible in life as long as we put our minds on it.That is why I’m an advocate of young people taking over the leadership of that country. All the Bidandi, Museveni, Miria Obote and group need to go as soon as possible.
Abbey.K.Semuwemba
God bless you!