Obote, << oh BOH tee >>, Milton (1924-2005), served as president of Uganda from 1966 until 1971 and from 1980 until 1985. As president, he abolished the country’s separate local kingdoms and ruled with absolute power. He put industry under government control.
Apollo Milton Obote was born on Dec. 28, 1924, in the Lango district of Uganda. In 1958, he was elected to the Ugandan legislature. In 1960, Obote became leader of the Uganda People’s Congress, a new political party he had helped create. He led Uganda, then a British protectorate, to independence in 1962. He then served as the first prime minister of the nation. In 1966, Obote seized full control of the government and declared himself president. The people elected him president in 1967.
A military revolt overthrew Obote in 1971, and he went into exile. Idi Amin Dada, who led the revolt, ruled Uganda until 1979. In 1980, Obote returned to Uganda and was elected president. Military leaders again overthrew him in 1985, and he went into exile again. He died on Oct. 10, 2005.
