Meet Obote Chief Bodyguard Who Returned Home With USD 100 After 50yrs In Exile Over Idi Amin

Vincent Obodo, the former chief bodyguard of Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, returned to Uganda after spending more than 50 years in exile. Obodo, now 81, left Uganda in January 1971 when General Idi Amin Dada overthrew President Obote’s government.

At the time, Obodo was in Kenya, waiting for Obote to return from a conference in Singapore. When Obote’s government was overthrown, Obodo helped him escape to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Obote lived as a refugee in Tanzania, and for years, they worked on plans to return to Uganda and overthrow Amin.

However, in 1979 when Obote regained power, Obodo chose not to return. He believed another coup was imminent and did not want to return to the uncertain political situation in Uganda.

Obodo stayed in Tanzania for many years, managing Obote's businesses and helping with military efforts against Amin. In 1982, after Obote was pushed out of power again, Obodo’s life took a difficult turn.

He worked odd jobs like bricklaying and cleaning toilets to survive. His health began to decline over time, and he suffered from hearing loss, vision problems, and a swollen leg.

Despite trying to return to Uganda several times, he faced obstacles, and it was not until 2017 that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) helped him return home.

When Obodo arrived in Uganda, he had just USD 100, which he had exchanged from his savings in Tanzanian currency.

He was welcomed back by his family in Akere village, Soroti City West, where a thanksgiving ceremony was held. His son, John Ekoyu, hopes the Ugandan government will consider compensating Obodo to help him resettle with his family after so many years of hardship.

Obodo’s return marks the end of a long journey of exile, and he now hopes to rebuild his life in Uganda