Milton Obote was a Ugandan political leader and a significant figure in Uganda's post-colonial history. Born on December 28, 1925, in Akokoro village in northern Uganda, he came from the Lango ethnic group. He pursued his early education at mission schools before attending Makerere University in Kampala, where he studied English and geography. Obote's political career began when he moved to Kenya for work and became involved in African nationalist politics, which inspired his fight for Ugandan independence.

In 1955, Obote returned to Uganda, where he quickly became involved in local politics. He joined the Uganda National Congress (UNC) and later co-founded the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) in 1960, a party which would become central to his political career. He became a key figure in Uganda's struggle for independence, which was achieved in 1962.

Obote became Uganda's first Prime Minister in 1962, serving as head of government while Uganda was still a Commonwealth realm with the Queen as the head of state. He formed an alliance with the Kabaka Yekka party, which represented the interests of the Buganda kingdom, to consolidate his power. However, tensions between the central government and the Buganda kingdom would later become a significant issue during his time in power.

In 1966, a major political crisis occurred when Obote suspended the constitution, declared himself President, and had his army commander, Idi Amin, lead a military assault on the Kabaka's palace, forcing the Kabaka (King) of Buganda into exile. This event, known as the 1966 Buganda Crisis, allowed Obote to consolidate power, ruling by decree. He introduced a new constitution in 1967, abolishing Uganda's kingdoms and making the country a republic with himself as executive president.

Obote's first presidency was marked by authoritarianism and political repression, particularly toward ethnic groups like the Buganda. His regime also faced significant economic challenges and growing dissent. In 1971, while Obote was attending a Commonwealth conference in Singapore, Idi Amin, who had risen through the military ranks under Obote, staged a coup d'état, overthrowing Obote and seizing power.

After being ousted, Obote spent nearly a decade in exile, primarily in Tanzania, where he continued to oppose Amin's regime. Following the Tanzanian-led invasion that toppled Amin in 1979, Obote returned to Uganda. In the 1980 elections, the UPC won, and Obote was reinstated as President, beginning what is often called his second presidency.

Obote's second term (1980–1985) was plagued by internal conflict, most notably the Ugandan Bush War (1981–1986). This was a guerrilla war waged by several opposition groups, including Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Army (NRA), in response to widespread allegations of electoral fraud in the 1980 election and government brutality. The war led to a massive loss of life, particularly in the Luwero Triangle, where government forces were accused of committing atrocities.

Economic mismanagement and human rights abuses characterized Obote’s second presidency, and his government became increasingly unpopular. In July 1985, Obote was again overthrown by a military coup, this time led by his own army generals, Bazilio Olara-Okello and Tito Okello. After his second overthrow, Obote fled to Zambia, where he lived in exile for the remainder of his life.

Milton Obote died in Lusaka, Zambia, on October 10, 2005, at the age of 79. His legacy in Uganda remains controversial. While some view him as a key figure in the country's fight for independence, others remember him for his authoritarian rule and the violence that occurred under his leadership.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Obote