Changes

Britain granted internal self-government to Uganda in 1961, with the first elections held on March 1, 1961. [[Benedicto Kiwanuka]] of the [[Democratic Party]] became the first Chief Minister. Uganda maintained its [[Commonwealth]] membership. A second round of elections in April 1962 elected members to a new National Assembly. [[Milton Obote]], leader of the majority coalition in the National Assembly, became prime minister and led Uganda to formal independence on October 9, 1962.  

Britain granted internal self-government to Uganda in 1961, with the first elections held on March 1, 1961. [[Benedicto Kiwanuka]] of the [[Democratic Party]] became the first Chief Minister. Uganda maintained its [[Commonwealth]] membership. A second round of elections in April 1962 elected members to a new National Assembly. [[Milton Obote]], leader of the majority coalition in the National Assembly, became prime minister and led Uganda to formal independence on October 9, 1962.  

In succeeding years, supporters of a centralized state vied with those in favor of a loose federation and a strong role for tribally-based local kingdoms. Political maneuvering climaxed in February 1966, when Prime Minister Milton Obote suspended the constitution, assumed all government powers, and removed the ceremonial president and vice president. In September 1967, a new constitution proclaimed Uganda a republic, gave the president even greater powers, and abolished the traditional kingdoms. On January 25, 1971, Obote's government was ousted in a military coup led by armed forces commander [[E.D. Amin]]. Amin declared himself president, dissolved the parliament, and amended the constitution to give himself absolute power.  

In succeeding years, supporters of a centralized state vied with those in favor of a loose federation and a strong role for tribally-based local kingdoms. Political maneuvering climaxed in February 1966, when Prime Minister Milton Obote suspended the constitution, assumed all government powers, and removed the ceremonial president and vice president. In September 1967, a new constitution proclaimed Uganda a republic, gave the president even greater powers, and abolished the traditional kingdoms. 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.  

E.D. Amin's 8-year rule produced economic decline, social disintegration, and massive human rights violations. The [[Acholi]] and [[Langi]] ethnic groups were particular objects of Amin's political persecution because they had supported Obote and made up a large part of 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.

Amin's 8-year rule produced economic decline, social disintegration, and massive human rights violations. The [[Acholi]] and [[Langi]] ethnic groups were particular objects of Amin's political persecution because they had supported Obote and made up a large part of 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.

In October 1978, the armed forces of [[Tanzania]] repulsed an incursion of Amin's troops into Tanzanian territory. The Tanzanian force, backed by Ugandan exiles, waged a [[Uganda-Tanzania War|war of liberation]] against Amin's troops and Libyan soldiers sent to help him. On April 11, 1979, [[Kampala]] was captured, and Amin fled with his remaining forces.

In October 1978, the armed forces of [[Tanzania]] repulsed an incursion of Amin's troops into Tanzanian territory. The Tanzanian force, backed by Ugandan exiles, waged a [[Uganda-Tanzania War|war of liberation]] against Amin's troops and Libyan soldiers sent to help him. On April 11, 1979, [[Kampala]] was captured, and Amin fled with his remaining forces.