DRUM: March 1973 President Idi Amin of Uganda Has in a dramatically short time, given marching orders to the Israelis, the British and the Asians. He has also taken uncompromising steps to rid Uganda's streets of armed robbers and prostitutes, and has campaigned against what he calls "phoney missionaries".
The controversial soldier-president has been criticised by the foreign press for jeopardizing the economy and of being intolerant of Christian worship, while there have been reports of disappearances of many top Ugandan people. In an exclusive interview, DRUM put these allegations before President Amin. DRUM: Overseas newspapers have been carrying stories about people disappearing in Uganda without trace. AMIN: We in Uganda do not depend on the sensational stories put out by overseas newspapers and even the BBC. Some of these people alleged to have disappeared are staying in the neighbouring countries. They were not chased away from Uganda, but they decided to run away on their own. Where there have been genuine cases of people disappearing - like the case of the two Americans - we have not hesitated to appoint an inquiry. DRUM: Can you say that there has been a drop in crime in Uganda since you came to power? AMIN: Definitely yes. Kondoism has died since I ordered the army to shoot robbers on sight. DRUM: Mr President, can you explain the reasons which led you to embark on what you have described as the "economic war"? AMIN: We embarked on the economic war war because the Asians were milking Uganda's economy. Some were engaged in economic sabotage while others were busy taking their money out of the country. No responsible government can allow this state of affairs to continue. DRUM: What evidence has your government got that the Asians were sabotaging the economy? AMIN: My government is a government of action. We have eyes and we can see things. Some Asians have been caught red-handed trying to take Ugandan money outside the country. In one instance, police raided a mosque in Kampala and found nearly two million shillings in currency notes packed in biscuit tins. These so-called biscuits were due to be exported to Britain. Is this not sabotage? Asians in Uganda have also been sending their money to relatives and friends in the neighbouring African countries. We cannot tolerate a situation in which our economy is being mlked by foreigners. DRUM: What progress has Uganda made in winning the economic war? AMIN: We have made a lot of progress. Shops vacated by departing Asians are being allocated to Ugandans. The banks are ready with money to give to those African traders who apply for overdrafts. There are so many African countries ready to help Uganda with personnel to replace the non-Ugandans who have left. DRUM: Can you say something about your relations with Great Britain? AMIN: The British are my best friends, but they are annoyed because I have kicked out the British Asians. They can say what they like. I have no time for imperialists. They have decided to cut off financial and technical aid to Uganda, but we do not worry. There are so many countries ready to help us. The British are very much annoyed with us now because they are spending between £7 million and £8 million a year feeding the British Asian refugees in camps allover Europe. If the British want friendship, we are prepared to remain friends, but the steps I have taken to hand over the economy of Uganda to Ugandans are here to stay. We have to win the economic war. DRUM: Is there freedom of worship in Uganda? If so, why are you being accused of persecuting Christians? AMIN: In Uganda there is complete freedom of worship and everyone can follow whatever religion he or she chooses. My quarrel with Christian bishops is that some of the White missionaries in the country are not missionaries in the real sense. They are mercenaries. Some are spies. I feel that the security of the people of Uganda is my paramount task. Some of these so-called missionaries do not even know the Bible. You will understand, therefore, why I have not been disposed towards such missionaries because when trouble starts, it is the people of Uganda who will suffer. DRUM: You frequently condemn young women for the way they behave and dress. Do you think you are being fair to them? AMIN: I am totally against loose living by some women in Uganda. Some of them have gone elsewhere in Africa and are doing terrible things there with Europeans. Some are loitering in our towns at night looking for customers. To make matters worse, some of our women are spying for foreigners. This must stop. It is no use saying that these prostitutes are a minority. As far as I can see, they are women and that spoils the image of Uganda. I have already banned the min-skirt and other sexy dresses. The next step will be to round up all town women and take them to camps in rural areas where they will be fed and made to work on the land. ENDS. As included in: Uganda, The Bloodstained Pearl of Africa and Its struggle for Peace. From the Pages of DRUM (Pages 116-117). Best regards, Yoswa -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
