Milton Obote dies

2005-10-10 21:30

Lusaka - Uganda's former strongman Milton Obote, who was first toppled by Idi Amin and overthrown again after a second stint in power, died on Monday in a South African hospital at the age of 81, his son told AFP.

"I can confirm the death of my father who passed away today in a Johannesburg hospital. Details will be given after consulting the family," Ben Obote said.

Obote was rushed to South Africa from Zambia, where he had been living in exile, following an undisclosed illness.

Uganda's first head of state, Obote maintained a low profile in Lusaka despite repeated calls from his supporters in Uganda for his return.

Obote, whose rule was marred by repression and torture of political opponents, was granted political asylum in Zambia following his second time in power from 1980 to 1985.

His socialist, dictatorial rule was first ended in 1971 by Amin, his army commander, who concealed ruthlessness with buffoonery while torturing and murdering 500 000 real and imagined opponents before being overthrown in 1979.

Obote, who spent the Amin years in exile, returned to Uganda on May 27 1980, and won disputed general elections a few months later to become president for a second time.

He was ousted five years later by forces led by current President Yoweri Museveni.

An estimated 300 000 civilians perished as Museveni's guerrillas, the National Resistance Army, battled Obote's government forces, the Uganda National Liberation Army, between 1981 and 1985.

But the killings are still disputed with Museveni claiming the former government was responsible and Obote loyalists saying it was the guerrillas.

- AFP