PRESS RELEASE - Amin meets Nyerere: BBC Swahili spearheads meeting of the sons

REFLECTIONS BY MARGARET AKULIA
In 1978 war erupted between Uganda under Idi Amin Dada and Tanzania under Julius Nyerere, which led to the ouster of Idi Amin Dada from power in Uganda on April 10, 1979. Prior to this war, relations between Julius Nyerere and Idi Amin Dada had become severely strained after Julius Nyerere offered sanctuary to President Apollo Milton Obote whom Idi Amin Dada overthrew in a Military Coup on January 25, 1971. Thirty years after the war that cost Ugandans and Tanzanians so many lives and left survivors with deeply rooted scars, Julius Nyerere’s son Madaraka and Idi Amin’s son Jaffar met for the first time on the eve of the 30 year anniversary of the 1979 war on Thursday, April 9, 2009, in an effort to promote PEACE in the world over WAR! The meeting was part of a Program offered by BBC World Service, spearheaded by BBC Swahili, to commemorate the 30 year Anniversary of a war that should never have happened! The meeting between Madaraka and Jaffar on April 9, 2009 spoke to efforts by a younger generation of "First Sons" committed to resolving conflict by peaceful means and not war. In addition, the meeting spoke to the responsibility of "First Sons" to seek Truth and Reconciliation while correcting mistakes made by their parents. We consider Jaffar Amin and Madaraka Nyerere as role models for younger and future generations and support their efforts to promote Peace, Truth and Reconciliation.

Jaffar Amin is in the process of establishing the Al-Amin Foundation whose aims include but are not limited to realizing Genuine Peace and Reconciliation in Uganda, attaining Social Justice and Building a Just Local and Global Community and Society. He looks forward to working with Madaraka Nyerere and other "First Sons" in undertaking activities and implementing projects and programs that are also aimed at promoting growth in their respective countries!