“The Amin history is actually very simple: What led Uganda police to this house back in 1973? Whom did police find plotting the kidnap of Amin officials here? And right after the mysterious disappearance of Ben Kiwanuka, Frank Kalimuzo, Basil Bataringaya and others in the three months leading to this incident, who was the gang planning to murder next when they were discovered in this hideout on January 22nd 1973? Additionally, in his book ‘The Guardian Angel’, Mr. Arnold Bisaase who was with the group in Daresalaam hatching these abduction missions, narrated how they drafted a hitlist of amin government officials and elites that they would assassinate once the group infiltrated in Uganda. That list was found at the house in Maluku estate after the shoot out” (Mr. Lumumba Amin – ‘IDI AMIN HISTORY: CROSSFIRE AT HOUSE 49, MALUKU HOUSING ESTATE’ 30.12.2020).
There are certain tales that is never answered. Most likely because the ones involved either is deceased or their stories are neglected to be told. We have only a few accounts plus the ones that is amplified. There is a reason why one story and one vision is amplified. That’s because his journey and his story was sold to the masses. His re-collection and narration is the one that stole the spotlight and done to make him “legendary”.
That the President and former Rebel wanted his tales to sound supreme is obvious. He wants so badly not only to be beloved, but also feared. The President wants his way to power to legitimized and vilify anyone who opposed him. That’s why the stories are made into a fashion where he is the hero, and the others are the enemies. This is the gist of things. That’s why it’s hard to believe what is fact and what is fiction. Certainly, there are aspects where the President will be truthful, but a lot of time’s either hide the fact or twist it in his favour. Therefore, it isn’t that easy, and it isn’t becoming easier as it 50 years ago since it happened.
In addition to Lumumba Amin’s story. Here is what I found about it…
“Those who have read President Yoweri Museveni’s book, Sowing the Mustard Seed, will remember the deep appreciation the President accords to the man lying before us this afternoon. In one of the sections of the book, President Museveni explained how one day in January 1973, hon. Maumbe Mukhwana’s home, house No. 49 in Maluku Housing Estate in Mbale, acted as a stage for a deadly battle between the freedom fighters and the Amin soldiers. The bloody fight in which some of President Yoweri Museveni’s comrades died at the hands of the Amin soldiers eventually emboldened the entire movement to intensify its efforts to uproot that dictatorship. Madam Speaker, we have fond memories of those early years of the struggle and Maumbe’s contribution, wisdom and counsel. As President Yoweri Museveni wrote, on January 22 1973 he travelled to Mbale in the company of Martin Mwesigwa and Wukwu Kazimoto Mpima to check on the camps. Little did they know that Amin’s intelligence had spotted the camp. One of Maumbe’s cousins wanted to spite him for refusing to give him some cigarettes; so, he reported to the authorities that there were some guerrillas in the area. Fortunately, Maumbe learnt of the betrayal and evacuated the group to the mountain before Amin’s soldiers arrived. You can imagine what would have happened had he not acted in time” (Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda – Parliament of Uganda – Hansard, 02.03.2017).
““I am surprised that when he [President Museveni] was referring to the events, he asserts that he was the only one who got out of the house alive, forgetting me; yet we spent 30 minutes together in cordial conversation in the house before the attack,” Mr Bukeni said in an interview with Sunday Monitor this week. When this newspaper reached out to Maumbe’s widow, Elizabeth, to corroborate the assertions by Mr Bukeni, she said: “I know him [Bukeni], but I am not at ease to speak about the events of that day. Please don’t make me cry now.” The President, while recounting the events at Bungokho Sub-county in Mbale District during the burial of the late Maumbe last week, among other things, said he was the only fighter who left the house alive after his two comrades –Martin Mwesiga and Kazimoto – were shot dead at the house” (Daily Monitor – ‘New details emerge, contradict Museveni Mbale escape story’ 11.03.2017).
“Museveni wrote that having been captured from inside the house, he jumped over the hedge and ran away from his captors. Did the man jump over the hedge and run away from his captors if you remember? I ask Otwabe. “Which hedge?” he wonders. “That is what he said? Me, I did not see the man [Museveni] jumping over the hedge.” According to Otwabe, Like a film star acting as a commando, Museveni burst out of the besieged Maumbe house No49 and ran directly into a crowd which had gathered out to see what was going on in the neighbourhood” (Daily Monitor – ‘I chased Museveni: I nearly captured him’ 25.04.2015).
As we see, the story of the “Mustard Seed” is contested, and eyewitnesses are telling another story than the President. This possibly means that he altered the story or made it more “legendary”. That wouldn’t be shocking because Museveni wants to look divine and unique in every way possible.
We are seeing Bukeni and Otwabe saying their testimonies which differs from the ones Museveni is telling. They are both saying it happen differently from him. You know there is more to the story than what His Excellency says. Especially, when you take into the account of Amin intelligence and the possible Hit-List, which was in the No. 49. That means the people belonging to Museveni had schemes and plans of how to overthrow Amin. That house was a place where Museveni met fellow rebels and plans to make a liberation war to oust Amin. Therefore, what was happening here was directly treasonous and a way of toppling a sitting regime.
You know your in trouble when people leak your whereabouts and the authority’s come’s knocking. They didn’t just come knocking but packing heat. These soldiers came with intention and with what schemes that was going on. We cannot blame them and especially when they were serving their current master. They where only following their commander and reporting to duty as they should. The men Museveni was aligned with was seditious and acting in treason. Therefore, the lethal means are with a purpose, even if the Amin government should have acted with a softer touch. Instead of firing of guns and killing them.
One day the truth will come out and no one will be afraid to spill the beans. It might be too late by then. Since the ones who was alive and can re-collect the attack will be gone. That’s what is tragic here, because we can nearly only hear one-side and that side is made beneficial for the current victor. Peace.
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MinBane 