Yusuf Lule was driven into exile by former Uganda dictator Idi Amin and on election immediately called for a moment’s silence for the estimated half a million people who had allegedly died under General Amin’s rule.

Flanked by Tanzanian army commanders whose troops helped drive Amin from Kampala, Lule appealed to his countrymen not to seek vengeance. “We must not indulge in the evil acts of the regime we have just removed,” he advised.

President Lule condemned Amin as a rebel and ordered commando squads to track him down. He urged troops still loyal to Amin to surrender saying they would be “protected” if they handed over their weapons.

Ironically, Amin precipitated his own downfall by sending troops to annexe part of Tanzania. But Tanzania fought back, invaded Uganda and helped unify the various anti-Amin rebel groups.