September 11, 2003
In response to people who have accused Idi Amin (RIP) of overthrowing Dr Apollo Milton Obote on January 15, 1971, here is the official list of those who executed the coup d'etat that brought him to power.
In order of importance they were:
1- Sgt. Maj. Moses Ali
2- Sgt. Maj. Musa Eyega
3- Sgt. Baker Tretre
4- Lt. Hussein Marella
5- Sgt. Bashir Juma
6- Lt. Isaac Maliya-Mungu
7- 2nd Lt. Hussein Marijan
8- Pvt. Ismail
9- 2nd Lt. Francis Itabuka
10- Lt. Khamis Safi
11- Lt. Juma Oris
12- Lt. John O. Onaah
13- Lt. Musa
14- Sgt Ambrosio
15- Sgt. Yekka
16- Capt. L.M.P Ozi
17- Capt. Charles Arube
18- Lt. Gad Wilson Toko
19- Capt. Emilio Mondo
20- Capt. Valentine Ochima
21- Capt. Ahmed Suleman
22- Capt. Toloko.
In his first speech as president, Amin said that power had been handed over to him by officers and men of the army. In his second and third, Idi Amin thanked the officers and men for entrusting him with power. The name, Maj. Gen. Idi Amin does not appear on this official list, which was also published in Uganda Argus of April 26, 1971.
I hope this answers the question as to whether Amin was one of the coup makers.
Fred Guweddeko,
Kampala.
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
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