How James Kazini, The Most Feared General In Museveni's Regime Fell From Power & Died Mysteriously

Major General James Kazini was one of Uganda’s most feared and controversial military figures. As Chief of Staff of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), he ruled with an iron fist, leading brutal military operations against rebel groups like the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

His leadership was marked by ruthless tactics, mass killings, and severe military crackdowns. He was known for his aggressive approach, often choosing brute force over diplomacy, making him one of the most feared commanders in Uganda’s history.

During the late 1990s, Kazini led Ugandan forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where his troops were accused of looting and human rights abuses.

The United Nations linked him to war crimes and the illegal exploitation of Congo’s natural resources, including gold and diamonds. His brutal rule in war zones gained him enemies both inside and outside Uganda.

However, his downfall began when he started clashing with President Yoweri Museveni. Despite being a loyal soldier, Kazini was accused of undermining Museveni’s leadership.

The final blow came in 2003 when he was implicated in a scandal involving ghost soldiers—fictitious names added to the army payroll to steal public funds.

Museveni ordered an investigation, and Kazini was removed from his position, later convicted of fraud.

On November 10, 2009, he was mysteriously murdered in Kampala. Official reports claimed he was killed by his mistress, Lydia Draru, who allegedly hit him on the head with a metal bar.

However, many believe his death was an assassination meant to silence him. His fall from power, combined with his controversial death, left behind a legacy of brutality, betrayal, and unanswered questions about the real forces behind his murder.