Western Uganda campaign of 1979

Western Uganda campaign
Part of the Uganda–Tanzania War
Datec. late February – May 1979
Location
Western Uganda
Result Tanzanian-led victory
Territorial
changes
Belligerents

 Tanzania
Ugandan rebels (reorganized as UNLF from March 1979)


Rwenzururu movement
 Uganda
 Libya (alleged)
State of Palestine Palestine Liberation Organisation (alleged)
Commanders and leaders
Tanzania Silas Mayunga
Tanzania Roland Makunda
Tanzania Ahmed Kitete
Tanzania Muhiddin Kimario (from April)
Yoweri Museveni
Yorokamu Tizihwayo Executed
Bernard Rwehururu
Abdu Kisuule (defected)
Units involved

Tanzania TPDF "Task Force"

  • 206th Brigade
  • Minziro Brigade
Tanzania 205th Brigade (from April)
FRONASA
Kikosi Maalum

Uganda Army

  • Western Brigade
  • Simba Battalion
  • Suicide Battalion
  • 2nd Paratrooper Battalion
  • Tiger Regiment
  • Artillery & Signals Regiment
Strength
Tanzania Three brigades
FRONASA: 2,000+
Unknown

The Western Uganda campaign of 1979 was a military operation by Tanzanian forces and allied Ugandan rebels, mainly the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), against Uganda Army (UA) troops loyal to Ugandan President Idi Amin during the Uganda–Tanzania War. The operation was launched by the Tanzania People's Defence Force's (TPDF) "Task Force", consisting of two brigades, in February 1979 to cover the Tanzanians' western axis of advance into Uganda. After securing the important city of Mbarara against Uganda Army counter-attacks, the TPDF Task Force captured several cities as well as the Kilembe Mines in the Rwenzori Mountains. These operations coincided with an expansion of the separatist Rwenzururu movement, a rebel group that exploited the collapse of the Uganda Army along the Uganda-Zaire border to secure territory and weaponry for itself. From the Rwenzori Mountains, the Task Force advanced to Hoima; there, it combined forces with another Tanzanian force, the 205th Brigade. Together, the TPDF formations advanced to Masindi, capturing it after a battle south of the city. With western Uganda largely under Tanzanian control, the Task Force and 205th Brigade subsequently split up again to capture northwestern and north-central Uganda.