Western Uganda campaign of 1979

Western Uganda campaign
Part of the Uganda–Tanzania War
Date c. late February – May 1979 Location Western Uganda Result Tanzanian-led victory Territorial changes Southwestern and western Uganda mostly occupied by Tanzanian forces Rwenzururu movement extends its territorial control in the Rwenzori Mountains
Belligerents
Tanzania Ugandan rebels (reorganized as UNLF from March 1979) Rwenzururu movement	Uganda  Libya (alleged) Palestine Liberation Organisation (alleged)
Commanders and leaders
Silas Mayunga Roland Makunda Ahmed Kitete Muhiddin Kimario (from April) Yoweri Museveni	Yorokamu Tizihwayo  Bernard Rwehururu Abdu Kisuule (defected)
Units involved
TPDF "Task Force" 206th Brigade Minziro Brigade 205th Brigade (from April) FRONASA Kikosi Maalum	Uganda Army Western Brigade Simba Battalion Suicide Battalion 2nd Paratrooper Battalion Tiger Regiment Artillery & Signals Regiment
Strength
Three brigades FRONASA: 2,000+	Unknown

The Western Uganda campaign of 1979 was a military operation by Tanzanian forces and allied Ugandan rebels, mainly the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), against Uganda Army (UA) troops loyal to Ugandan President Idi Amin during the Uganda–Tanzania War. The operation was launched by the Tanzania People's Defence Force's (TPDF) "Task Force", consisting of two brigades, in February 1979 to cover the Tanzanians' western axis of advance into Uganda. After securing the important city of Mbarara against Uganda Army counter-attacks, the TPDF Task Force captured several cities as well as the Kilembe Mines in the Rwenzori Mountains. These operations coincided with an expansion of the separatist Rwenzururu movement, a rebel group that exploited the collapse of the Uganda Army along the Uganda-Zaire border to secure territory and weaponry for itself. From the Rwenzori Mountains, the Task Force advanced to Hoima; there, it combined forces with another Tanzanian force, the 205th Brigade. Together, the TPDF formations advanced to Masindi, capturing it after a battle south of the city. With western Uganda largely under Tanzanian control, the Task Force and 205th Brigade subsequently split up again to capture northwestern and north-central Uganda.