Uganda: Information regarding a bomb attack in July 1985 in the Kampala region by Okello forces. Were Uganda Peoples Congress supporters targeted by the Okello forces in the July coup that overthrew the Obote government
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UGA6083 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uganda: Information regarding a bomb attack in July 1985 in the Kampala region by Okello forces. Were Uganda Peoples Congress supporters targeted by the Okello forces in the July coup that overthrew the Obote government, 1 June 1990, UGA6083, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab3b2f.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
It was reported that Brigadier Bazilio Olara Okello, commander of the northern region toppled President Milton Obote in a bloodless coup on 27 July 1985. [
FootnoteS:
"Bloodless Coup Reported in Uganda", Reuters North European Service, 27 July 1985. Attached.] According to eyewitnesses, bombs exploded in Kampala, while Bombo reportedly fell to rebel hands earlier and Jinja, 30 km. from Kampala, was cut off. [ Ibid.]
An authority on Ugandan affairs reports that Okello's group was the military wing of the Obote governing party. [ As stated by the source during a telephone interview with a member of the IRBDC on 27 June 1990.] As a result of the split within the UPC at that time, some of its members were "caught on the wrong side of the tracks" during the coup. [ Ibid.] Some UPC members, particularly those the Langi ethnic group, were shot at and killed at that time. The source further states that some UPC members reportedly lost their patronage appointments. [ Ibid.] Members of the Acholi tribe, constituting 40% of the armed forces, reportedly resented the alleged accelerated promotion for Langi officers. [ Keesing's Record of World Events, Vol.XXXI, No.12, London: Longman, 1985, p.34024. Attached pp. 34023-34026.] The attached Minority Rights Group (Report No.66, 1989) states that on 7 July 1985, clashed occurred between Acholi and Langi troops, where the Acholi retreated north, regrouped and captured Kampala in a coup on 27 July 1985.
There are corroborating reports that some local party officials and UPC government appointees were killed, "presumably out of revenge by citizens enraged at what was perceived to be an arrogation and abuse of power during the Obote era by these officials". [ U.S. Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1985, Washington: U.S. Government Printers, 1986, p.360. Attached.]
