Epilogue (1986)

Abstract

The relief with which the signing of the Peace Agreement in Nairobi was greeted was shortlived. The inadequacy of the Military Council and the intransigence of the NRM/NRA prevented the accord from ever being implemented. The Military Council was politically weak, not least because its members were divided, striving to promote the different interests of the various groups of which it was composed; the NRA made political capital out of this by stepping up its military activities. Indeed Museveni did not return to Kampala to take up his position as Vice-Chairman of the Military Council, as provided for in the peace accord. Contrary to the hope that the Agreement might be the harbinger of peace in the country, the period immediately after the accord was signed witnessed a serious escalation of hostilities between Government and NRA forces. On 25 January 1986 the fighting was to culminate in the overthrow of the Military Council and the seizure of power by the NRM/NRA, headed by Museveni.