Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH (08/31/17)
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TITLE: The Dictator | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert Rutaagi
09/06/17 -
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Amin was born a happy soul, in a poor family. Going to school was a luxury. After primary four, he dropped out of school and joined the military.
He loved boxing, hunting and playing accordion. His low IQ was compensated by his pleasant personality and a good physical body.
These attributes endeared him to many friends, peers, subordinates and superiors. From ordinary soldier, he rose and excelled through the ranks to a coveted Major.
In 1971, Amin overthrew the regime for which he was the Army Commander. He ruled for eight years.
Dangerous beings like lions and snakes are naturally confined in safer ecosystems. Uganda, too, should have been protected against Amin, the vilest Uganda has ever seen.
This narrative will spare the reader from Amin’s terror unleashed upon the country. By 1979 the economy had plummeted to the lowest ebb, evidenced by a three-digit inflation, rampant shortages of goods and services and a dilapidated infrastructure. Over one million people were killed and many more, including this writer, ran into exile. Speaking for self only, I lost my immediate boss, many relatives, classmates, fellow Christians… and a beloved Archbishop [ABS] - all under the evil hand of Amin and his military junta. Even his own people and fellow Muslims were not spared. He even murdered his own wife, Kay Amin.
For ABS Janani Luwuum, he was arrested, taken to State Lodge where Amin met and interrogated him and two cabinet ministers.
Amin [in broken English]: “Archbishop, why is you and zith politicians fighting my government? This is danger very much!”
ABS: “Your Excellency, I only lead the people of God. I am not fighting your government. These, ministers are innocent.”
Amin [Angrily]: “You are joke with me, Archbishop. Allah will punish you completely and also. I am soldier not joking.”
Those who worked with Amin, some of whom are my friends, confirm that, if Amin uttered such words they were synonymous to: “God has told me to kill you.”
Amin [continued]: “Confess now, you are collaborate with guerrillas to overthrow my government? Yes or no? Ambia mimi (Tell me)” [resorting to Swahili].
Another sign to show that Amin was getting perilously angrier was instant evaporation of the little English he could speak with difficulty and resorting to Swahili, his native language.
Realising the dangerous situation that was developing, the ABS stopped responding to any further questions.
At that moment, Amin fumed with rage, pulled out his pistol and pointed its nozzle to the ABS.
The God’s grace that surrounded His Grace, the ABS seemed to disgrace the already disgraced dictator. The ABS simply smiled at the dictator who could neither shoot nor withdraw. Silence was all that could be heard in the room.
ABS [Prayed]: Oh! God Almighty, forgive President Amin. Forgive and protect Uganda and all your people. And forgive Your servant.
Amin, totally confused, turned the gun to the ministers in turn and shot, one after the other, as they thumped to the ground, dead.
“So the gun is working”, Amin realized.
Turning the gun to the ABS, he shot him in the smiling mouth and three bullets in the chest. He fell and died instantly.
Epilogue: In 1979 Amin was overthrown. He ran into exile in Saudi Arabia until his death. For ABS Janani Luwuum, he was recognized, by Anglican Community, as a Martyr in 1998.
NON-FICTION [with nominal creative-writing touch]. Amin’s story is found in public domain.
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Blessings~
I liked the story development.