Bolo Yeung
Lister
Documents that were uncovered inside Idi Amin's office and the notorious State Research Bureau after the overthrow of the Ugandan strongman, painted a picture of a regime directed by fear and paranoia.
They also told tales of betrayal within families
In one instance a mother secretly reported her daughter to the intelligence service for saying during dinner that Milton Obote, whom Amin had deposed in 1971, should return to power.
While an informer sold out his friend by writing to the State Research Bureau, :
“This person is so close to me that I cannot take any action on him. So if any action is to be taken it should be in such a way that I am not discovered.”
Inside the State Research Bureau, many were tortured or beaten to death, sometimes with their heads placed inside a large metal wheel rim, and others had their skulls smashed with sledge hammers.
The documents also showed how President Amin's suspicions of outsiders were fed by his hatchet men.
One letter from Robert Astles , read:
“Your excellency. We have evidence through documentation and interrogation that foreign companies are working against the Ugandan economy. We also have evidence that the C.I.A. is working against you. We would like to give our intelligence verbally. Your obedient servant, Bob Astles.”
Another report said that "Drunkards at Gun Hill Bar might have loose talks against the Government.” It suggested that “our boys join the club to observe what those people are doing.”
Amin's medical file dating as far back as 1966 was also discovered. It showed that he suffered from gout, constipation, headaches, insomnia and obesity. .
They also told tales of betrayal within families
In one instance a mother secretly reported her daughter to the intelligence service for saying during dinner that Milton Obote, whom Amin had deposed in 1971, should return to power.
While an informer sold out his friend by writing to the State Research Bureau, :
“This person is so close to me that I cannot take any action on him. So if any action is to be taken it should be in such a way that I am not discovered.”
Inside the State Research Bureau, many were tortured or beaten to death, sometimes with their heads placed inside a large metal wheel rim, and others had their skulls smashed with sledge hammers.
The documents also showed how President Amin's suspicions of outsiders were fed by his hatchet men.
One letter from Robert Astles , read:
“Your excellency. We have evidence through documentation and interrogation that foreign companies are working against the Ugandan economy. We also have evidence that the C.I.A. is working against you. We would like to give our intelligence verbally. Your obedient servant, Bob Astles.”
Another report said that "Drunkards at Gun Hill Bar might have loose talks against the Government.” It suggested that “our boys join the club to observe what those people are doing.”
Amin's medical file dating as far back as 1966 was also discovered. It showed that he suffered from gout, constipation, headaches, insomnia and obesity. .
