Beyond the Myth of Unity: Understanding Conflict in African Societies
Milton Obote Abolished Uganda's Kingdoms
In a move that reshaped Uganda's political landscape, Milton Obote abolished the country's traditional kingdoms in 1966. This controversial decision, driven by power struggles with President Mutesa II, eliminated the influence of traditional rulers and centralized power under Obote's government.
Regional and Ethnic Divisions
Milton Obote was from the Lango ethnic group, which is located in the northern region of Uganda. His ethnic background played a role in the tensions that led to the abolition of traditional kingdoms. The kingdoms, particularly Buganda in the south, held significant power and influence; however, this created tensions with other regions and ethnic groups, including those in the north where Obote's Lango group was located.
Obote's push for a stronger central government was partly motivated by a desire to unify the country and reduce the power of these regional kingdoms, which he saw as a threat to national unity. This was also influenced by the fact that the kingdoms, especially Buganda, were seen as representing the interests of specific ethnic groups, potentially at the expense of others.
Buganda was the largest and most influential kingdom, and its prominent position within the federal system created resentment among other groups who felt marginalized. A 1964 referendum on the lost counties, a territorial dispute between Buganda and Bunyoro, further escalated these tensions when the results went against Buganda's wishes.
In 1966, allegations of corruption and gold smuggling involving high-ranking government officials, including Obote and Idi Amin (then an army officer), further destabilized the political landscape. This scandal provided Obote with a pretext to consolidate power.
In February 1966, he suspended the constitution, assumed all executive powers, and removed both the President (Mutesa II) and Vice-President from office. This power grab culminated in May 1966 when Obote ordered the army, led by Idi Amin, to attack the Kabaka's palace in Mengo, Kampala, forcing Mutesa II into exile. The following year, in 1967, a new constitution abolished the traditional kingdoms, establishing Uganda as a republic with a strong central government.
This marked the beginning of a period of political instability and conflict that persisted for several decades. While Obote was not solely responsible for Idi Amin's subsequent rise to power, his actions, the suspension of the constitution, and the centralization of authority created the conditions that allowed Amin to seize control.
Butcher of Uganda Idi Amin Exploited Existing Ethnic Tensions
Idi Amin was a member of the Kakwa ethnic group. The Kakwa are a small ethnic group that primarily resides in northwestern Uganda, with some also living in parts of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Amin joined the British colonial army (the King's African Rifles) and rose through the ranks. During his time in the military, he built a power base by recruiting soldiers from his own ethnic group, as well as other groups from the West Nile region of Uganda.
This created a loyal following within the army. After seizing power in a coup in 1971, Amin exploited existing ethnic tensions and rivalries within Uganda to consolidate his rule. He favored members of his own ethnic group and other groups from the West Nile while persecuting members of other ethnic groups, particularly the Acholi and Lango, who were associated with former President Milton Obote.
Milton Obote Returns
Amin's invasion of Tanzania in 1978 triggered a counter-invasion by Tanzanian forces, supported by Ugandan exiles. In 1979, Amin's regime was overthrown, and he fled into exile, eventually settling in Saudi Arabia, where he died in 2003.
After Amin's overthrow, political instability and short-lived presidencies were the norm. Disputed elections in 1980 brought Milton Obote back to power for a second term. However, this period was also marked by violence and human rights abuses.
Yoweri Museveni, who had been involved in the fight against Amin, launched a guerrilla war against Obote's government, known as the Bush War. In 1986, Museveni's National Resistance Army captured Kampala and took control of the government.
Restoration of Kingdoms in 1993
In 1993 under President Yoweri Museveni's government, the kingdoms, including Buganda, Ankole, Toro, and Bunyoro, were formally restored. However, this was primarily a cultural and symbolic restoration.
The restored kingdoms were allowed to revive traditional customs, ceremonies, and practices, with the kings and other traditional rulers reinstated as cultural leaders. Critically, the kingdoms did not regain their political powers before 1967.
They lack legislative assemblies with law-making authority and do not possess significant administrative or executive powers within the modern Ugandan government structure. Operating within the framework of the Ugandan constitution and subject to the central government's authority, their functions are now mainly advisory and focused on cultural preservation.
Why Restore the Kingdoms?
Restoration promotes national reconciliation and healing of the wounds of past conflicts. It also acknowledged the importance of traditional institutions and cultural heritage for many Ugandans. Additionally, Museveni's government may have viewed the restoration as a way to garner political support in these regions.
Ultimately, the 1993 restoration was a significant event, but it's crucial to understand its primarily cultural nature. The kingdoms now function as important cultural institutions within the modern Ugandan republic.