Former Ugandan prime minister dies

The Ugandan People’s Congress tonight announced that its leader, former president Milton Obote died at a South African hospital following a series of illnesses linked to old age.

Henry Mayega, the party’s secretary general, said Obote, 80, died this afternoon after being hospitalised for several weeks. He had been living in self-imposed exile in Zambia for several years.

“He had a series of illnesses over the past three weeks. We received the information and we are in the process of getting it to the people of Uganda tomorrow, but we do not yet have a clear programme,” Mr Mayega said. He declined to give further details.

Onapito Ekomoloit, press secretary for President Yoweri Museveni, who fought a civil war against Obote’s government from 1980-85, said Museveni was aware of Obote’s death, but was awaiting an official report from his political party.

Obote served as Uganda’s first prime minister following independence in 1962.

At the time Uganda was ruled by King Mutesa II.

In 1966, Obote staged a coup against the king and declared himself president.

Idi Amin deposed Obote in 1971, forcing him to flee into exile in Tanzania.

He became president again in 1980 when Tanzanian troops entered Uganda to remove Amin.