The House of Austrian History Presents: June 15, 1985, Uganda – World History in the Weinviertel

This digital exhibition entry details a pivotal four-day meeting in June 1985 at the "Zum grünen Jäger" guesthouse in Unterolberndorf, Austria. Nine Ugandan men, part of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), gathered to draft a democratic roadmap for their country amidst civil war. The '10-point program' formulated here became a guiding principle for Uganda's governance after the NRM's ascent to power.

This entry from the House of Austrian History chronicles a crucial, yet often overlooked, event that took place from June 15-18, 1985, in Unterolberndorf, Austria. During this period, nine men from Uganda convened at the "Zum grünen Jäger" guesthouse to design a new framework for democratic governance in their homeland, which was then embroiled in a civil war. These individuals were key figures in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), having previously fought against the brutal dictatorship of Idi Amin (1971–1979) and aiming to depose the then-reigning president, Milton Obote. The neutral ground of Austria provided a space for figures like Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Eriya Kategaya, Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, Ruhakana Rugunda, Matthew Rukikaire, Sam Male, Zacharia Kaheru, Peter Jjumba, and Robert Kitavujja to outline the foundational principles for a more equitable government. The '10-point program' developed during this meeting became an important guideline when the NRM, with its military wing the National Resistance Army (NRA), entered Kampala in early 1986, leading to Yoweri Museveni's presidency. The program emphasized the inclusion of all population groups in politics and administration. Interestingly, the article also notes the later authoritarian turn of the NRM government under Museveni's continued leadership. The connection between Unterolberndorf and Uganda was further cemented in 1994 when President Museveni revisited the guesthouse. A monument was erected, featuring a cubic meter of Ugandan soil, symbolizing the historical link between the Austrian locality and the East African nation. The narrative highlights the enduring numerous connections and Austrian-Ugandan projects that have since developed, illustrating the lasting impact of this pivotal meeting.

This page is a historical entry and does not contain ticketing information. Visitors interested in visiting the museum or specific exhibitions should refer to the main museum website for ticketing details.