Uganda won independence from the British Empire in 1962. All across Africa new nations were emerging and were able to break free of their colonial oppressors. This news reel from Parthe News shows the independence celebrations. Uganda became a member of the Commonwealth just like other former British colonies. Milton Obote would become the country’s first leader. This was a joyous occasion, but political and social challenges remained. Uganda did not have economic independence and was still reliant upon their former colonizer for assistance. There was ethnic tension between the Asian population and African population inside Uganda. Obote would be deposed by a military coup in 1971 by Idi Amin. The newsreel does not explain these complexities that emerged from imperialism or its negative effects. Milton Obote first served as Prime Minister and later President. Uganda was difficult to govern and his methods remained controversial especially during the Ugandan Bush War. He returned to serve again as President from 1980 to 1985.
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