| Special Force | |
|---|---|
| Kikosi Maalum | |
| Leaders | Milton Obote David Oyite-Ojok Tito Okello |
| Dates of operation | 1971–1978 (precursor groups) 1978–1979 (officially) |
| Size | c. 600–800 (late 1978) c. 5,000 (Sept. 1979) |
| Part of | Uganda National Liberation Army (from 1979) |
| Allies |  Tanzania People's Defence Force |
| Battles and wars | Uganda–Tanzania War Ugandan Bush War (unofficially) |
Kikosi Maalum (meaning "Special Force" in Swahili), also known as the Special Battalion[1] or the grand coalition,[2] was a militia of Ugandan exiles formed in Tanzania to fight against the regime of Idi Amin. The unit was founded by and loyal to former Ugandan President Milton Obote, and served as his de facto private army. It was commanded by former army officers David Oyite-Ojok, and Tito Okello. Kikosi Maalum took part in the Uganda–Tanzania War, fighting alongside the Tanzanian military against Amin's forces. In course of this conflict, the militia was nominally unified with other Ugandan rebel groups, forming the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) in 1979. After the fall of Amin's regime and Obote's return to power, Kikosi Maalum became the core of Uganda's new national army.
- ^ Cooper & Fontanellaz 2015, p. 27.
- ^ Golooba-Mutebi 2008, p. 11.