The historical role of scholars and public intellectuals in Uganda’s post-independence politics: A critical study of the gang of four

Abstract

This paper explores the contributions of four eminent political figures namely Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo, Dani Wadada Nabudere, Omwony Ojok and Yashpal Tandon to the post-independence politics of Uganda. The quartet belonged to the anti-Amin groups in exile who participated in the Moshi conference in Tanzania with the support of President Julius Nyerere. They were dubbed the gang of four by President Godfrey Binaisa during his short-lived regime in 1979. The four had been members of the National Consultative Council (NCC) which served as the legislative arm of the UNLF government under Yusuf Lule and Godfrey Binaisa. Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo chaired the NCC; in other words, he was the speaker of the then National Assembly. During his tenure as the chairman of the NCC, Lule was removed from office after only 68 days. After Lule’s overthrow, Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa was sworn in as president but shortly, he was also overthrown by the military commission under the leadership of Paulo Muwanga and Yoweri Museveni. The gang of four later to played a very critical role in academia and taught in many universities both within and outside Africa. The four never participated in the 2nd Obote regime; they were all in exile. However, they resurfaced after the fall of the Obote II and two of them; Edward Rugumayo and Omwony Ojok worked closely with President Museveni during his lengthy NRM regime and served in different capacities.