(By Enosh K.Mainah Ben Abraham - History student IUIU)

The Abayudaya in 1980-1985 under political wrangles.

As the regime of Idi Amin was characterized by so many atrocities committed against Ugandans, political allies met in Moshi (Tanzania) for a conference to overthrow him. Eventually on April 12th 1979, the Uganda National Liberation Front/Army (UNLF/A) came to power and Yusuf Lule who was the chairman of the UNLF/A became the President. This created some hope among the remnants of Jews in Uganda who were praying that Judaism would be able to be practiced in the open again. However, due political infighting within the UNLF/A, professor Yusuf Lule did not last for long, he ruled for two months and one week after which he was voted out of power with Binaisa taking control on June 19th 1979. This government would last for 11 months.

During Banaisa's time, we observe the presidential chair becoming very powerful and attractive - hence many Ugandan politicians began struggling for it. As a result there was no stable ground for the Abayudaya to maintain their Jewish practice in an open and formal manner. There were still a number of insurgencies around the west Nile and a great famine broke out in the country that resulted in the Executive members of UNLF to loose confidence in Binaisa's leadership. As such Paulo Muwanga was appointed into power in May 1980 to prepare for elections that took place in December 1980. As a result, Milton Obote returned to power after ten years from the time Idi Amin organized a coup to over throw him while he was attending a common wealth summit in Singapore. However, though Obote managed to return to power for the second time, he was blamed for having rigged the 1980 Election. This also brought a lot of bewilderment among politicians, which created a lot of fear and panic in the country and the Abayudaya community in particular.

Obote was accused by many of both nepotism and corruption. On top of that, insurgencies around the west Nile and other parts of the country were reaching the climax and were beyond Obote's control; a state that forced Lt.Gen.Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to join the bush for safety of Ugandans. And so, it was not until the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) took control on January 26th 1986 that there was a stable and secure government and environment that would allow for the Abayudaya to once again practice Judaism openly. The government set up by the NRM/A was credited with having affirmed human rights for all Ugandans, which of course, greatly helped the Abayudaya Community as well.