Career
He was appointed Minister of the Interior in 1962 (alternatively titled "Minister of Works and Labour"), and to defence in 1966, he had responsibility for both the police and the military. He also served as general manager for the West Nile Company-operative Union, handling cotton ginning, from 1960 until 1962. He also owned a bus line, which was nationalised alongside foreign businesses under the 1960 Nakivubo Pronouncement.
Onama believe he had close ties with the military, so when in January 1964, there was a mutiny at the military barracks at Jinja, Uganda"s second city and home to a burgeoning military, Onoma was sent by Obote to negotiate with the mutineers.
There were similar mutinies in two other eastern African states. All three countries requested the support of troops from the British military.
Onama was held hostage, beaten and had his shirt torn. He agreed to many demands, including significant pay increases for the army, and the rapid promotion of many officers, including Idi Amin.
In 1966, Onama was embrolied in the crisis that hit Uganda.
This crisis would lead to Obote"s usurping of the powers of the Ugandan government. Serving as sometime secretary-general of the Ugandan People"s Congress, he was one of the leaders of the Uganda National Rescue Front.
