Author: Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

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Rise of Maliyamungu from gatekeeper to Amin’s right-hand man.Isaac Maliyamungu was known as Idi Amin’s “Hit Man” and “Principal Hangman”.The forces under his command used extreme methods in suppressing suspected dissidentsHe joined the Uganda Army in 1967, possibly recruited on Amin’s orders. By then, Amin had risen to deputy commander of the Uganda Army. In 1970 Maliyamungu was promoted to the rank of corporal and served as pay clerk for the Uganda Army Air Force at Entebbe. At the time, he was aiding Amin in secretly enlisting troops from the West Nile region and southern Sudan. These forces were trained in the Mabira Forest, and were part of Amin’s preparations for a coup against President Milton Obote. Maliyamungu eventually learned of Obote’s intentions to arrest Amin, and warned his relative, whereupon they accelerated their coup plans. He played a crucial role in Amin’s subsequent coup against Obote, and it was later claimed that he had rammed an armoured personnel carrier into an important armoury in the capital Kampala during the coup, ensuring that the putschists had access to necessary weapons. Another putschist, Moses Galla, has disputed this story, and stated that he had been the driver of the APC.Maliyamungu’s main task during the coup was to secure Entebbe airport. This he successfully did by driving a tank from the Malire Barracks to Entebbe, and shooting at the airport entrance. He killed two priests by chance, and caused a panic among the airport’s guards. The loyalist resistance of Entebbe thus collapsed, allowing Maliyamungu to take control almost unopposed.His takeover of Entebbe impressed Amin, and Maliyamungu consequently won the favor of Uganda’s new president.After the successful coup, Maliyamungu was one of the officers who were entrusted with defeating the remaining militant Obote loyalists and purging the Uganda Army of anti-Amin elements. For this purpose, he was granted “unlimited powers to execute anyone in the army”, including superior officers.Alongside Colonel Ali, Colonel Musa, and Major Malera, Maliyamungu succeeded in defeating the armed resistance to the new regime, and proceeded to murder hundreds of political opponents. He later boasted of “single-handedly mastermind[ing]” the mass murder of civilians suspected of being opposed to Amin.Maliyamungu quickly became Amin’s “right-hand man”. He was appointed member of the Defence Council,General Staff Officer I Grade responsible for training and operations (de facto army chief of staff),and commander of the Ordnance Depot at Magamaga. In 1972 he served as acting commander of the Second Infantry Battalion based in Masaka. He was appointed the official head of the “Second Simba Mechanized Battalion” at Masaka and promoted from major to lieutenant colonel in May 1973. In 1974, he transferred from head of the Ordnance Depot to commander of the Eagle Colonel Gaddafi Battalion, and was also given command of a mechanised regiment. In April 1975, Maliyamungu left leadership of the Gaddafi Battalion to Hussein Mohammed, and was appointed head of an entire brigade. He consequently oversaw several units from an office in Jinja.Most importantly of all his commands, Maliyamungu headed the VIP Protection Unit (Amin’s bodyguards and enforcers) and played a major role in the State Research Bureau, Uganda’s intelligence agency. Along with Major General Mustafa Adrisi, he was believed to effectively control the entire Ugandan armed forces, and was regarded as the Ugandan President’s “power base”. Knowing that his power derived from his influence over the soldiers, Maliyamungu reportedly turned down offers of cabinet posts to stay in the barracks. He was generally respected and feared among the common soldiers, and held the power to beat or execute those who disappointed him or were suspected of being disloyal to the Amin regime. By 1977, he claimed to be the de facto heir of Amin due to his loyalty to the regime and reliability in carrying out the President’s orders.In 1976, Maliyamungu was responsible for a major security blunder. Uganda’s Ambassador to Lesotho, Isaac Lumago, overheard a conversation by officers of the Kenya Air Force on 4 July. They discussed plans by Israel to carry out a raid against Entebbe to free hostages who were held there by Palestinian and German hijackers with assistance by the Ugandan government. The ambassador informed Maliyamungu,[36] but he regarded the report as “gasiya” (rubbish) and took no action whatsoever. That same day, Israeli commandos carried out Operation Entebbe, freeing the hostages, and destroying one quarter of the Uganda Army Air Force. While the raid took place, Maliyamungu was allegedly relaxing at a nearby hotel with a prostitute. Following the raid, he had 14 soldiers arrested under suspicion of collaborating with the Israelis. Once they were gathered in a room at Makindye Barracks, Maliyamungu shot 12 of them with his pistol.Over time, Amin’s brutal regime was increasingly destabilized by internal divisions and economic problems despite great repression by state authorities. One of Amin’s policies that drew opposition even among his original followers was the great power he gave to Kakwa and Nubians, while leaving officials of other ethnicies underrepresented. As result, a group of officers led by Brigadier Charles Arube attempted to overthrow Amin and kill his Nubian/Kakwa followers, including Maliyamungu. In the end, the so-called Arube uprising failed. Maliyamungu was also regarded as “prime target” for assassination by Ugandan exiles, as he controlled much of the Uganda Army’s tank forces. By 1978, Maliyamungu was one of the few remaining people who were regarded as trusted and loyal followers of Amin. He was one of the officers who were responsible for enlisting 10,000 new soldiers for the Uganda Army in Sudan, Kibera (Kenya), and Uganda around September 1978. This mass recruitment followed extensive purges in the military.follow my page Echoes of kenya for more

October 3, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!!!!

October 1, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

Today is a Special day in your life. A day set aside to celebrate the gift…

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Yache Women Association Calabar Branch Pays Courtesy Visit to Senator Professor Stephen OdeySeptember 30, 2025 The Yache Women Association, Calabar Branch, led by its President, Mrs. Mary E. Egbanabo, paid a congratulatory visit to Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education, Cross River State. The visit was held to celebrate his recent professorial elevation and commend his sweeping education reforms, which have significantly transformed the state’s education sector.Speaking on behalf of the association, Mrs. Egbanabo conveyed their warmest felicitations to the Oyorgu 1 of Yache Nation on his well-deserved achievements. She hailed Senator Odey as “our champion”, highlighting his visible impact as a leader in both politics and education. She particularly praised the new policy reforms for public and private schools, describing them as visionary and laudable.The association further acknowledged Senator Odey’s notable contributions to community development, expressing deep appreciation for his swift intervention during the Uchu Bridge collapse, as well as his ₦10 million donation for the immediate reconstruction of the Orierie Bridge in Uchu-Yache. Professor Odey received the delegation and expressed gratitude for their solidarity. “Your presence today brings me great joy, for unity and peace bring progress to every community,” he remarked, as he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to peace, truth, and unity across Yache Nation and encouraged the women to continue their steadfast support for the administration of Governor Bassey Otu.#Office_Of_The_Commissioner_For_Education_CRS

September 30, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

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SENATOR PROF. STEPHEN ODEY DONATES ₦10 MILLION FOR THE IMMEDIATE RECONSTRUCTION OF ORIERIE BRIDGE, UCHU – YACHE

September 28, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

In a pragmatic show of love and solidarity, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education, Cross…

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SENATOR PROF. STEPHEN ODEY ATTENDS TRIPLE CELEBRATIONS OF VERY REV. DR. MATTHEW ODAH OTUJI

September 27, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

It was a day of joy and thanksgiving as Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education,…

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September 26, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

Breaking:Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, is holding an interactive session with…

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C’RIVER EDUCATION COMMISSIONER HOLDS STRATEGIC MEETING WITH PRINCIPALS AND HEAD TEACHERS IN IKOM

September 25, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, met with Principals and Head…

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CROSS RIVER ‘S BEST BEST JOURNALIST COMMENDS CRS EDUCATION COMMISSIONER PROF. STEPHEN ODEY

September 24, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

Comrade Agba Jalingo Comrade Agba Jalingo Cross River state best investigative and realiable journalist at all…

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CROSS RIVER STATE ROLLS OUT SWEEPING EDUCATION REFORMS TO STRENGTHEN STANDARDS AND PROTECT PUPILS

September 23, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim

September 23, 2025 The Cross River State Government has unveiled a comprehensive package of education policy…

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*OGOJA COUNCIL CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR FEDERAL INTERVENTION IN POWER SUPPLY*The Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Christopher Agbeh, has raised serious concerns over the persistent power outage affecting Ogoja and surrounding communities, urging the Federal Ministry of Power to urgently intervene.Speaking during a visit to the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja, Chief Agbeh lamented that the lack of public power supply continues to hinder economic growth and discourage potential investors who are ready to establish industries in the area. He described Ogoja and the entire Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State as a “forgotten zone” in terms of electricity supply.According to the Council Chairman, “Investors are eager to set up factories and industries in Ogoja, especially as raw materials are abundant here. However, the absence of consistent electricity is a major setback to these economic opportunities.”Chief Agbeh emphasized that stable power supply is critical for improving the local economy, creating employment, and attracting sustainable development to the region.In response, the Director of Transmission at the Federal Ministry of Power, Engr. Philip Okpanefe, commended Chief Agbeh for his proactive leadership and concern for the welfare of his people. He acknowledged the electricity supply challenges facing Ogoja and described the area’s industrial interest as a “positive signal” that must be supported.Engr. Okpanefe assured that the Ministry would look into the matter with a view to improving power supply to Ogoja. He noted that increased investor interest is a healthy indicator of long-term economic and power sector growth, adding that improved electricity access would significantly reduce the region’s high unemployment rate.

September 22, 2025
Dr Matthew Okiri Okeyim