IN a poignant quest for truth and justice, Lumumba Amin, son of Uganda’s notorious former leader Idi Amin, is shedding light on a dark chapter of his family’s history. Forty-four years after the mysterious death of his mother, Kay Amin, Lumumba is determined to unravel the circumstances surrounding her brutal murder.
On August 14, 1974, Kay Amin – a devout Christian and advocate for women’s rights – was abducted from her Kampala residence by four unknown men. Her body was later discovered in the trunk of a vehicle, a grim end to a life dedicated to uplifting women and children in Uganda.
Lumumba has taken to social media and there he paints a picture of a educated, compassionate woman who fought tirelessly for women’s empowerment, challenging the popular narrative that often overshadows her legacy. He credits his mother with influencing Idi Amin’s policies that led to the appointment of Uganda’s first female minister, ambassador, and judge, among other groundbreaking roles for women.
The younger Amin draws parallels between his mother’s fate and those of other prominent Ugandans who disappeared under similar mysterious circumstances during the turbulent 1970s. He questions the official narratives, suggesting a more complex web of political intrigue and violence than has been previously acknowledged.
As Uganda grapples with recent political unrest and violence, Lumumba’s pursuit of justice for his mother serves as a stark reminder of the country’s troubled past and the long shadows it casts on the present. His quest is not just a son’s duty to his murdered mother, but a challenge to Uganda to confront its history and seek truth, no matter how uncomfortable.
In his words, “Clearly, and even after decades of lies and meticulous falsehoods, the battle for the establishment of the truth in the history of our country still wages on.” As Lumumba Amin continues his fight for justice, he invites all Ugandans to join him in uncovering the truth and healing the wounds of their shared history.
