Arphaxad Charles Kole Oboth Ofumbi (July 1932 – 16 February 1977) was a Ugandan politician who served as the Interior Minister of Uganda from October 1973 until his death in 1977.[1]
Charles Oboth Ofumbi | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Internal Affairs | |
| In office 12 October 1973 – 16 February 1977 | |
| President | Idi Amin |
| Preceded by | Lt. Col. Ernest Obitre Gama |
| Succeeded by | Mustafa Adrisi |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 2 February 1971 – 1973 | |
| President | Idi Amin |
| Acting President of Uganda | |
| In office February 1971 – February 1971 | |
| President | Idi Amin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Arphaxad Charles Kole Oboth Ofumbi July 1932 Nyamalogo, Tororo District, British Uganda |
| Died | 16 February 1977 Kampala, Uganda |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Oboth-Ofumbi |
| Children | Several |
| Alma mater | Kings College Budo |
| Occupation | Politician |
Early life and education edit
Oboth Ofumbi was born in Nyamalogo, in Eastern Uganda.[2] He was educated at Mbarara High School and Kings College Budo. He went to primary school at Kisoko Primary School.[3]
Career edit
Having worked previously as a financial assistant in the district, Oboth Ofumbi was appointed District Commissioner for Bukedi District in Eastern Uganda in 1960. By 1963, he had moved from being a district administrator in Gulu to being the assistant secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. Under the Government of Milton Obote he was successively a chief accountant in the Defence ministry, acting Defence Minister and finally Defence Minister (1971). A good relationship with Idi Amin ensured that Oboth Ofumbi kept the role following Amin's coup in January 1971, serving as Defence Minister until 1973.[4]
Death edit
Oboth Ofumbi died while awaiting trial for his part in an alleged coup attempt. It is generally accepted that he was murdered under the orders of President Idi Amin, although the official account is of a car accident.[4] Archbishop Janani Luwum and land minister Lt Col Erinayo Oryema were killed in the same incident.[4] In July 2015, President Yoweri Museveni attended a service in his honour, outlining Oboth Ofumbi's apparent struggle against the Amin regime.[5]
Personal life edit
Oboth Ofumbi was from the Jopadhola ethnic group and he had several children with his wife Elizabeth.
Authorship edit
Oboth Ofumbi wrote "History & Customs of the Jopadhola" in 1960, one of the first ethnographies of the Adhola people.[6]
Bibliography edit
- Oboth-Ofumbi, A.C.K. Padhola, East African Literature Bureau, Nairobi, 1959
References edit
- ^ "Ofumbi knew too much to stay alive". New Vision. 23 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ "Museveni sums up Amin era as dictatorial & barbaric – The Insider Uganda". 2015-07-29. Archived from the original on 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Wilson, E. G. (1966). Who's Who in East Africa 1965-1966. London: Marco Publishers (Africa) Limited.
- ^ a b c Henry Lubega (26 July 2015). "Oboth Ofumbi's nine days as acting president". Daily Monitor. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ "Museveni sums up Amin era as dictatorial & barbaric". The Insider. 28 July 2015. Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ Europa Publications (1977). Africa South of the Sahara: 1977. London: Europa Publications.