During the volatile political climate of Uganda under Idi Amin’s rule, stories of bravery and tragedy often remain untold. One such story is that of Solomon Okuku, President Apollo Milton Obote’s favorite driver, who died a hero amidst a coup that dramatically altered Uganda’s political landscape.
President Obote, who trusted Kenyan Luos profoundly due to ethnic kinship and their status as political outsiders, employed several of them in critical roles within his presidential palace. Solomon Okuku served as the senior chauffeur, a position that placed him close to the center of power and, during the coup, at the heart of danger.
When Idi Amin seized power while Obote was away in Singapore, he initially reassured the presidential staff of their safety. However, the reality outside the presidential palace was starkly different. Amin’s soldiers, primarily from his Kakwa tribe, targeted Luos and Langos, executing many who were associated with Obote.
Solomon Okuku, aware of the peril his fellow tribesmen faced in a Kampala suburb predominantly inhabited by Luos, took decisive action. He bravely drove to their neighborhood, loaded as many as he could into his vehicle, and transported them to Entebbe. From there, they could escape by boat across Lake Victoria to Kisumu, Kenya. This act of valor likely saved dozens of lives.
However, Okuku’s return to Kampala was fraught with danger. Amin’s soldiers had begun setting up checkpoints around the city. Okuku was stopped, and under circumstances that remain controversial, was shot at point-blank range. While soldiers claimed he had fired at them, those who knew him insist he was incapable of violence.
The aftermath of Okuku’s death was as poignant as his final act of heroism. His body, left in his car riddled with bullets, was eventually retrieved by Odera Otonde, Obote’s senior cook, after much hesitation from the palace staff. Otonde, driven by loyalty and grief, managed to bring Okuku’s body back to the presidential palace where it was kept in cold storage until it was safer to move.
Okuku’s remains were ultimately returned to his homeland in Kisumu with Otonde’s help, marking the end of a journey for a man who had sacrificed his life for others. His funeral was a large affair, attended by many of those he had helped escape, a testament to his bravery and selflessness.
While Okuku’s life ended tragically, his story remains a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience displayed by individuals during times of great peril. Solomon Okuku’s legacy is that of a hero who put the safety of others above his own, making the ultimate sacrifice during one of Uganda’s darkest periods.
