During Idi Amin’s regime in Uganda (1971–1979), Brigadier Isaac Maliyamungu emerged as one of the most feared figures, notorious for his ruthlessness and unwavering loyalty to Amin.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Maliyamungu migrated to Uganda in search of employment, initially working as a gatekeeper at Nyanza Textile Industries in Jinja.
His connection to Amin, possibly as a nephew or cousin from the Kakwa ethnic group, facilitated his enlistment into the Uganda Army in 1967.
Maliyamungu’s pivotal role in the 1971 coup that brought Amin to power marked the beginning of his rapid ascent within the military hierarchy.
He notably secured strategic locations such as Malire and Entebbe, actions that solidified his position as Amin’s trusted ally.
Subsequently, he was appointed to several key positions, including commander of the VIP Protection Unit, acting commander of the Second Infantry Battalion, and head of the Eagle Colonel Gaddafi Battalion.
These roles granted him significant authority, particularly in suppressing dissent and eliminating perceived threats to Amin’s rule.
Maliyamungu’s reputation for brutality was well-founded. He was directly involved in the torture and execution of countless civilians and soldiers suspected of disloyalty.
His methods were so extreme that even Amin reportedly questioned his sanity, yet continued to rely on his services to maintain an iron grip on the nation.
His actions instilled widespread fear, making his name synonymous with terror during Amin’s regime.
One of the most significant lapses under Maliyamungu’s watch was during the 1976 Israeli raid on Entebbe Airport. Despite receiving intelligence about a possible rescue operation, he dismissed the warnings as “rubbish.”
This oversight allowed Israeli commandos to successfully execute Operation Entebbe, rescuing hostages and dealing a significant blow to Amin’s regime. In retaliation, Maliyamungu executed 12 soldiers he suspected of collusion with the Israelis.
As Amin’s regime began to crumble during the Uganda-Tanzania War (1978–1979), Maliyamungu’s influence waned. Following the fall of Kampala to Tanzanian forces and Ugandan exiles, he fled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and later to Sudan. In 1984, he reportedly died of poisoning in Sudan.