By -Ssalongo Jaffar Amin
1975:
On September 11, 1975, dad “audienced” with the Pope in Rome. Many people mocked his visit to the Pope that year but he wanted to demonstrate his support for Christians.
Dad was very supportive of Christians and he had very close family members, friends and associates who were very committed Christians. As I shared previously, in 1972, dad in his usual bombastic utterances wanted two of his sons to become Roman Catholic Priests and they were already in Roman Catholic Seminary. If he hated and persecuted Christians as it has been falsely alleged, he would never have sent us to Christian Mission Schools. Nevertheless, an Independent “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” is the place to arrive at the actual truth about persistent claims that dad persecuted Christians in Uganda. It is also the place to arrive at the actual truth about the following assertion by an observer who obviously views dad as a hero in the debate raging on about whether he was a hero or villain to the core:
“Idi Amin’s detractors and “saboteurs” lied about him actively persecuting Christians in Uganda! It was the same relentless Propaganda that included so-called “facts” “crafted” to defame him and bring down his government!”
In November 1975 dad travelled to New York to address the United Nations as Chairman of the OAU (Organization of African Unity) that year.
In a “flamboyant defiance and audacity” at the Airport in New York, dad’s favourite Dance Troupe “The Heart Beat of Afrika” danced for him! He had sent the Dance Troupe ahead of him so that they could dance for him, entertain and welcome him on American soil at the Airport, while “flaunting” the beauty and talent of Africa. This “flamboyant defiance and audacity” by dad on American soil caused a lot of laughter, even though some people were annoyed by it.
Dad said it was his way of poking fun at the United States of America for the evils and “sins” of the African Slave Trade. He said he wanted to remind Americans that “Africans” are the brightest and most talented human beings on earth and they made and built the United States of America. So Americans better treat Black Americans better than they have been doing for centuries.
By the time dad travelled to New York to address the United Nations in 1975, the once strong relationship he had with Israel had become irreparable. It had disintegrated beyond recognition.
As Chairman of the OAU (Organization of African Unity) in 1975, dad addressed the United Nations in Luganda, one of many Ugandan languages he was very articulate and very eloquent in. On that occasion, he chose to defy United Nations rules respecting languages accepted as Official Languages at the United Nations and spoke in Luganda.
During dad’s speech at the United Nations in New York, he was very instrumental in passing UN Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with Racism and Apartheid.
The arising Resolution stood the Test of Time from 1975 to 1991 when George Bush Senior sought an Alliance to fight against Saddam Hussein. At the time of the passing of UN Resolution 3379, Africans came together as one to protect their “wayward” Chairman - dad.
Dad caused a murmur at the United Nations when he spoke in Luganda, a language he mastered while growing up among the Baganda people of Uganda. When he defiantly forced the Luganda language on the United Nations in New York in 1975 and gave an address in Luganda, he was very clear in articulating his points.
As Chairman of the Organization of African Unity that year, dad felt it necessary to clearly articulate his position at the United Nations in relation to UN Resolution 3379, without the constraints of language. He was always aware of his constituency.
He had already set up the International External Service of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation and knew that the people that mattered were listening. Dad was speaking directly to his constituency and Luganda was actually the one language he spoke fluently. Even the Baganda were stupefied and elated to hear him speak their language on the world stage, for Swahili was the preeminent language - actually the only language with a translatable service at the United Nations.
Dad could also speak Swahili fluently but he chose to speak in Luganda. Many Baganda and other Ugandans cheered and laughed about dad’s “audacity” to force Luganda on the United Nations while other people were very annoyed by this form of “waywardness”.
Younis Kinene, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations at the time had to be the “Impromptu Translator” for Luganda back to English. I can only imagine what must have gone through Younis Kinene’s head as his “wayward” Head of State put him in the awkward position of “Impromptu Translator”, with no warning whatsoever.
Dad was making a statement. He understood the significance of the occasion and he did not wish to be compromised. He understood that he represented Africa at that moment as the Chairman of the OAU and he was aware of the significance of the occasion and necessity for eloquent articulation.
Dad’s humble upbringing and crowd pleasing style resonated with the teeming masses. This style stemmed from his gift of speech. He had the astonishing ability to lead a Nation due to his extraordinary fluency in at least a dozen Indigenous African languages. His memory for words, for people and places never ceased to amaze his former Kings African Rifles Commanding Officer Major Iain Grahame. He spoke directly to the people in a language they understood. The essence of good communication in today’s ICT generation is the ability to get your message across. This factor is quite often ignored by his detractors, but it is the most indelible testament as to why he continues to resonate with the majority of the now revived underclass (“Common Man”) under this structurally adjusted society in the 21st century.
I would venture to say that dad did very well in attempting to communicate in English. I doubt that many people would perform so well if they were “dumped” in a hostile environment and expected to pick up and communicate in a language they had no interest in learning or mastering. I know they would sound just as “nonsensical” to Native Speakers. However, the irony of dad’s so-called “nonsensical” statements is that they came to pass with the appointments of Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice as United States Secretaries of State and the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.
I am particularly referring to “audacious” statements dad made during the making of the 1974 French Documentary titled “General Idi Amin Dada: A Self Portrait.” That time, dad had boldly stated that:
“The Black people of America must be the President of the United States of America”.
“They must be the Secretary of State.”
At the United Nations in 1975, dad articulated that Zionism was equal to Racism, in a 10minute speech following a 90minute speech by Younis Kinene, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations at the time.
Zacharia Fataki from Gulumbi, a descendant of the notorious Chief of Gulumbi was dad’s Bodyguard in 1975. He regularly recounted the story of a tussle with an assassin, who was armed and in a “no arms area”. It was suspected that the assassin was attempting to assassinate dad while on the trip to New York.
Idi Osman of the Lurunu Kakwa clan who was Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States of America at the time can also provide detailed accounts.
Younis Kinene can provide further key accounts about the whole event including dad’s visit to New York, his speech to the United Nations and how Africans came together as one to protect their “wayward” Chairman - dad.
It was a strange solidarity indeed in light of the strong protest from the American Ambassador who was determined to put dad in his place so to speak and in a bad light. Dad believed that the Ambassador was very upset because he managed to convince all the African States, the Soviet Bloc and South America to vote for UN Resolution 3379.
There was a lot of support for UN Resolution 3379, preparation for which began long before the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Summit in Uganda. There were a lot of determined stakeholders involved in its passing.
By the time the OAU Summit in Uganda came around, dad had been promoted to Field Marshall - one of the highest positions in the Military. In 1971, he had been denied the position of OAU Chairman because of the Military Coup against Apollo Milton Obote. However, by 1975, he had built enough clout to be recognized as a formidable force in the passing of UN Resolution 3379.
The Prime Minister of Great Britain at the time declared during a Commonwealth Conference in Kingston, Jamaica that Uganda could not hold the OAU Summit that year. However, what he did not realize was that the Arab Islamic Countries were determined to pass UN Resolution 3379 and it involved galvanizing the “Third World States” into a Bloc Vote and putting their money where their mouths were. This was the Era of the Petrol Dollar and dad had become the de facto Spokesperson. The Arab countries ensured that he was successful in facilitating the passing of UN Resolution 3379 because they wanted it passed.
Dad evidently responded to being the de facto Spokesperson and the African countries closed ranks to give him the votes he needed along with a standing ovation in the World Assembly when he successfully passed UN Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with Racism. However, little did dad know that this resounding success would precipitate the Hostage Saga popularly known as the “Entebbe Raid” that would occur in Uganda, nine months after the passing of UN Resolution 3379.
The Africans came together as one to protect their “wayward” Chairman and to demonstrate their support for the Organization of African Unity (OAU). It was a strange solidarity indeed in light of the strong protest from the American Ambassador who was determined to put dad in his place and in bad light so to speak.
Like Kings African Rifles (KAR) of old, which he truly was, a misplaced sense of grandeur somehow got the better of dad. For when he invited Bokassa in 1975 to come and lay the foundation stone for the Old Kampala Mosque and the University of Islam at Enjeva, he was still leaving the Number One dress bereft of the grandiose medals he piled up post 1975. He had also become an “outcast” amongst the “Western World” so his trips were limited to the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) countries. At every stop, dad was given medals and honors, which he piled onto his suit jacket. In fact he would affectionately ask Mrs. Emilio Mondo to do the needful and sew them on for him. She once told her beloved daughter Esther Mondo:
“You see all those medals? I painstakingly sewed them all - the lot of them”.
1975:
On September 11, 1975, dad “audienced” with the Pope in Rome. Many people mocked his visit to the Pope that year but he wanted to demonstrate his support for Christians.
Dad was very supportive of Christians and he had very close family members, friends and associates who were very committed Christians. As I shared previously, in 1972, dad in his usual bombastic utterances wanted two of his sons to become Roman Catholic Priests and they were already in Roman Catholic Seminary. If he hated and persecuted Christians as it has been falsely alleged, he would never have sent us to Christian Mission Schools. Nevertheless, an Independent “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” is the place to arrive at the actual truth about persistent claims that dad persecuted Christians in Uganda. It is also the place to arrive at the actual truth about the following assertion by an observer who obviously views dad as a hero in the debate raging on about whether he was a hero or villain to the core:
“Idi Amin’s detractors and “saboteurs” lied about him actively persecuting Christians in Uganda! It was the same relentless Propaganda that included so-called “facts” “crafted” to defame him and bring down his government!”
In November 1975 dad travelled to New York to address the United Nations as Chairman of the OAU (Organization of African Unity) that year.
In a “flamboyant defiance and audacity” at the Airport in New York, dad’s favourite Dance Troupe “The Heart Beat of Afrika” danced for him! He had sent the Dance Troupe ahead of him so that they could dance for him, entertain and welcome him on American soil at the Airport, while “flaunting” the beauty and talent of Africa. This “flamboyant defiance and audacity” by dad on American soil caused a lot of laughter, even though some people were annoyed by it.
Dad said it was his way of poking fun at the United States of America for the evils and “sins” of the African Slave Trade. He said he wanted to remind Americans that “Africans” are the brightest and most talented human beings on earth and they made and built the United States of America. So Americans better treat Black Americans better than they have been doing for centuries.
By the time dad travelled to New York to address the United Nations in 1975, the once strong relationship he had with Israel had become irreparable. It had disintegrated beyond recognition.
As Chairman of the OAU (Organization of African Unity) in 1975, dad addressed the United Nations in Luganda, one of many Ugandan languages he was very articulate and very eloquent in. On that occasion, he chose to defy United Nations rules respecting languages accepted as Official Languages at the United Nations and spoke in Luganda.
During dad’s speech at the United Nations in New York, he was very instrumental in passing UN Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with Racism and Apartheid.
The arising Resolution stood the Test of Time from 1975 to 1991 when George Bush Senior sought an Alliance to fight against Saddam Hussein. At the time of the passing of UN Resolution 3379, Africans came together as one to protect their “wayward” Chairman - dad.
Dad caused a murmur at the United Nations when he spoke in Luganda, a language he mastered while growing up among the Baganda people of Uganda. When he defiantly forced the Luganda language on the United Nations in New York in 1975 and gave an address in Luganda, he was very clear in articulating his points.
As Chairman of the Organization of African Unity that year, dad felt it necessary to clearly articulate his position at the United Nations in relation to UN Resolution 3379, without the constraints of language. He was always aware of his constituency.
He had already set up the International External Service of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation and knew that the people that mattered were listening. Dad was speaking directly to his constituency and Luganda was actually the one language he spoke fluently. Even the Baganda were stupefied and elated to hear him speak their language on the world stage, for Swahili was the preeminent language - actually the only language with a translatable service at the United Nations.
Dad could also speak Swahili fluently but he chose to speak in Luganda. Many Baganda and other Ugandans cheered and laughed about dad’s “audacity” to force Luganda on the United Nations while other people were very annoyed by this form of “waywardness”.
Younis Kinene, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations at the time had to be the “Impromptu Translator” for Luganda back to English. I can only imagine what must have gone through Younis Kinene’s head as his “wayward” Head of State put him in the awkward position of “Impromptu Translator”, with no warning whatsoever.
Dad was making a statement. He understood the significance of the occasion and he did not wish to be compromised. He understood that he represented Africa at that moment as the Chairman of the OAU and he was aware of the significance of the occasion and necessity for eloquent articulation.
Dad’s humble upbringing and crowd pleasing style resonated with the teeming masses. This style stemmed from his gift of speech. He had the astonishing ability to lead a Nation due to his extraordinary fluency in at least a dozen Indigenous African languages. His memory for words, for people and places never ceased to amaze his former Kings African Rifles Commanding Officer Major Iain Grahame. He spoke directly to the people in a language they understood. The essence of good communication in today’s ICT generation is the ability to get your message across. This factor is quite often ignored by his detractors, but it is the most indelible testament as to why he continues to resonate with the majority of the now revived underclass (“Common Man”) under this structurally adjusted society in the 21st century.
I would venture to say that dad did very well in attempting to communicate in English. I doubt that many people would perform so well if they were “dumped” in a hostile environment and expected to pick up and communicate in a language they had no interest in learning or mastering. I know they would sound just as “nonsensical” to Native Speakers. However, the irony of dad’s so-called “nonsensical” statements is that they came to pass with the appointments of Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice as United States Secretaries of State and the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.
I am particularly referring to “audacious” statements dad made during the making of the 1974 French Documentary titled “General Idi Amin Dada: A Self Portrait.” That time, dad had boldly stated that:
“The Black people of America must be the President of the United States of America”.
“They must be the Secretary of State.”
At the United Nations in 1975, dad articulated that Zionism was equal to Racism, in a 10minute speech following a 90minute speech by Younis Kinene, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations at the time.
Zacharia Fataki from Gulumbi, a descendant of the notorious Chief of Gulumbi was dad’s Bodyguard in 1975. He regularly recounted the story of a tussle with an assassin, who was armed and in a “no arms area”. It was suspected that the assassin was attempting to assassinate dad while on the trip to New York.
Idi Osman of the Lurunu Kakwa clan who was Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States of America at the time can also provide detailed accounts.
Younis Kinene can provide further key accounts about the whole event including dad’s visit to New York, his speech to the United Nations and how Africans came together as one to protect their “wayward” Chairman - dad.
It was a strange solidarity indeed in light of the strong protest from the American Ambassador who was determined to put dad in his place so to speak and in a bad light. Dad believed that the Ambassador was very upset because he managed to convince all the African States, the Soviet Bloc and South America to vote for UN Resolution 3379.
There was a lot of support for UN Resolution 3379, preparation for which began long before the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Summit in Uganda. There were a lot of determined stakeholders involved in its passing.
By the time the OAU Summit in Uganda came around, dad had been promoted to Field Marshall - one of the highest positions in the Military. In 1971, he had been denied the position of OAU Chairman because of the Military Coup against Apollo Milton Obote. However, by 1975, he had built enough clout to be recognized as a formidable force in the passing of UN Resolution 3379.
The Prime Minister of Great Britain at the time declared during a Commonwealth Conference in Kingston, Jamaica that Uganda could not hold the OAU Summit that year. However, what he did not realize was that the Arab Islamic Countries were determined to pass UN Resolution 3379 and it involved galvanizing the “Third World States” into a Bloc Vote and putting their money where their mouths were. This was the Era of the Petrol Dollar and dad had become the de facto Spokesperson. The Arab countries ensured that he was successful in facilitating the passing of UN Resolution 3379 because they wanted it passed.
Dad evidently responded to being the de facto Spokesperson and the African countries closed ranks to give him the votes he needed along with a standing ovation in the World Assembly when he successfully passed UN Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with Racism. However, little did dad know that this resounding success would precipitate the Hostage Saga popularly known as the “Entebbe Raid” that would occur in Uganda, nine months after the passing of UN Resolution 3379.
The Africans came together as one to protect their “wayward” Chairman and to demonstrate their support for the Organization of African Unity (OAU). It was a strange solidarity indeed in light of the strong protest from the American Ambassador who was determined to put dad in his place and in bad light so to speak.
Like Kings African Rifles (KAR) of old, which he truly was, a misplaced sense of grandeur somehow got the better of dad. For when he invited Bokassa in 1975 to come and lay the foundation stone for the Old Kampala Mosque and the University of Islam at Enjeva, he was still leaving the Number One dress bereft of the grandiose medals he piled up post 1975. He had also become an “outcast” amongst the “Western World” so his trips were limited to the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) countries. At every stop, dad was given medals and honors, which he piled onto his suit jacket. In fact he would affectionately ask Mrs. Emilio Mondo to do the needful and sew them on for him. She once told her beloved daughter Esther Mondo:
“You see all those medals? I painstakingly sewed them all - the lot of them”.
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