A daily pick of news events that happened on this day in history from the pages of Gulf News dated April 12, 1979.
New Ugandan Government formed
Ugandan exile leader Yusufu Lule announced the formation of a new Ugandan government. The new government consisting of a 14-member Cabinet includes most members of the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF) Executive will be flown to Kampala, which was seized by a Tanzania-led invasion force. Exile leaders have prepared for a triumphal return to Kampala, where they plan a three-tier system of Government to restore democracy.
Tanzanian troops captured President Idi Amin's capital of Kampala and were met by jubilant residents throwing flowers. Out for revenge after eight years of harsh military rule, Ugandan civilians looted shops and battered some of Amin's soldiers to death. His men put up scarcely any resistance a several thousand Tanzanian and Ugandan exile troops moved into the city centre under cover of darkness. One of the Ministers said that Amin fled the capital with what was left of his army and had gone to the eastern industrial town of Jinja.
Kuwait to mediate
UAE President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan said, the Federation was facing a crisis. "We hope the crisis would end in agreement" Shaikh Zayed said and added Abu Dhabi had empowered Kuwait Foreign Minister Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to exert efforts to "consolidate the Union." Shaikh Sabah has visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai in a mediation attempt.
Egypt's approves treaty by 329-13 votes
Egyptian Parliament ratified the Peace Treaty with Israel negotiated by President Anwar Sadat. The vote in favour was 329 with only 13 against at debate. The Parliament overwhelming approval cleared the way for Egypt and Israel to finalise the peace agreement sponsored by the United States and achieved through the personal intervention of President Jimmy Carter.
