The Uganda–Tanzania War, the fall of Idi Amin, and the failure of African diplomacy, 1978–1979: George Roberts

The Uganda-Tanzania War of 1978-1979 was a landmark event in post-colonial East African history. In response to Idi Amin’s annexation of the Kagera Salient in northwestern Tanzania in November 1978, Julius Nyerere launched a controversial counterattack that routed Amin’s forces and swept him from power in April 1979. Rooted in a deep rivalry between Amin and Nyerere, the conflict provoked bitter exchanges at the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), contributed to the failure of ujamaa in Tanzania, and brought an end to eight years of brutal dictatorship in Uganda.