Uganda Army (1971–1980)
Ugandan national armed forces under Idi Amin / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Uganda Army (abbreviated UA), also known as Uganda Armed Forces,[1] served as the national armed forces of Uganda during the dictatorship of Idi Amin (1971–1979). It mostly collapsed during the Uganda–Tanzania War, but remnants continued to operate in exile from 1979. These pro-Amin rebel forces continued to be called the "Uganda Army" and maintained a semblance of cohesion until 1980, when they fully fractured into rival factions.
Uganda Army | |
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Active | 1971–1979 1979–1980 (as rebel group) |
Country | Uganda (Second Republic) |
Type | Armed forces |
Size | 20,000 (estimated average strength, 1971–1979) 7,100 (estimated strength, 1980) |
Garrison/HQ | Republic House, Kampala |
Nickname(s) | UA |
Engagements | 1972 invasion of Uganda Aouzou Strip occupation (unofficially) Arube uprising Operation Entebbe 1977 invasion of Uganda Uganda–Tanzania War Ugandan Bush War |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-Chief | Idi Amin |
Notable commanders | Mustafa Adrisi Isaac Lumago Isaac Maliyamungu Yusuf Gowon Ali Fadhul |
Following Uganda's independence in 1962, colonial units were transformed into the country's first national military which became known as the "Uganda Army". The military suffered from increasing ethnic and political tensions until UA commander Idi Amin overthrew President Milton Obote in 1971. The military was subsequently purged of perceived pro-Obote elements, resulting in a transformation of its setup and organization. Under Amin's rule, the UA became dominated by people of northwestern Ugandan, Sudanese, and Zairean origin, resulting in it being increasingly perceived as foreign mercenary force by most Ugandans. It was massively expanded and modernized, mostly with weaponry of Eastern Bloc origin, though Uganda's difficult international relations resulted in shortcomings in the supply of spare parts.
To maintain power, Amin used a complex patronage system through which he rewarded the Uganda Army's troops and maintained the soldiers' loyalty. As time went on, this system resulted in extreme corruption, growing indiscipline, and internal rivalries. Despite its numerical growth and good equipment, the fighting capabilities of the Uganda Army consequently deteriorated. Regardless, it remained a powerful force, and defeated several uprisings, coup attempts, and rebel invasions. In late 1978, parts of the Uganda Army invaded the neighboring Tanzania under unclear circumstances, resulting in the Uganda–Tanzania War. The military proved to be ineffective and badly motivated during this conflict, and most soldiers defected, deserted or mutinied after March 1979. Loyalist elements of the Uganda Army managed to retreat into Sudan and Zaire, however, from where they prepared to retake Uganda. The Uganda Army's remnants launched two successful invasions in 1980, capturing most of the West Nile region. Thereafter conflicts between its commanders and different factions resulted in a complete fragmentation of the remaining Uganda Army troops. One of these successor groups, the so-called Former Uganda National Army, maintained to be the continuation of the Uganda Army.