Uganda @60: Amin overthrows Obote, promotes himself to full general

Shortly after the coup on February 20, 1971, Amin issued an announcement in the name of the “Officers and Men of the Uganda Army and Air Force” in the Uganda Gazette in which he promoted himself from major general to a full general and suspended elections “for at least five years,” stating:

“In view of the very bad state of affairs left behind by the last regime we fully appreciate that our Government led by His Excellency Major-General Idi Amin Dada is faced with a great task. Public life must be cleaned up and the economy must be put on a sound basis. In addition (sic) the people of Uganda have to be educated to think in terms of Uganda as a whole and to love and respect one another in the spirit of brotherhood, unity and equality. We have therefore decided that our Government as led by his Excellency Major-General Idi-Amin Dada must be in power for at least five years. We believe that as the end of such a period national elections (sic) could be organised and held in a period of tranquillity and mutual respect. From messages received by us we know that this proposal has the support of the great majority of Ugandans…. In Addition, due to the size of the army he is now heading, and his military responsibilities, we hereby appoint him full General.”

This was Amin’s statement under the title “Declaration by the Officers and Men of the Uganda Army and Airforce” delivered unto the country.