Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 398 - The Kagera War: Part 4
Jan 26, 2026
A dramatic military series finale covering the Tanzanian advance, collapsed Ugandan defenses, and chaotic battles like Lukaya. Foreign interventions from Libya and the PLO create confusion and mismatched equipment on both sides. Retreats, traffic-jam collapses, and the capture of Entebbe lead to looting and political maneuvering. Long-term costs include economic strain, insurgency seeds, and shifting Ugandan leadership.
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Episode notes
Crocodile Nickname Banter
- Joe joked about naming crocodile soldiers 'Tactodile' after part three's crocodile mention.
- Tom and Nate proposed alternatives like 'Crocorators' and 'Crocmandos'.
Calculated Political-Military Decision
- Julius Nyerere weighed invasion risk against humanitarian duty and regional diplomacy.
- He used Tanzanian forces plus exile militias to depose Amin while avoiding full international backlash.
Libyan Forces Were Ill-Prepared
- Libyan and PLO forces arrived poorly prepared and often unaware they were being sent to fight.
- Many were conscripts or migrants told it was a training mission until they landed at Entebbe.
