Life and Death at the Main Hall

Over the years, I have heard endless family stories which I am continuously amused and amazed by. The surreality of many stories is incredible and I often feel as if the scenes are taken from books or movies. This is one of the more commonly told stories  and one of the many memories that my grandfather had of the notorious Idi Amin Dada.

The scene is Kampala, Uganda's largest and capitol city. It is a sunny afternoon in August 1977 , and  a 51 year old Senteza Kajubi has just returned from an overseas business trip. It had a been a long flight and his wife, Elsie was urging him to rest up for the work week ahead. Senteza contemplated this, but is fixed on popping in a the office, seeing as he been gone for so long. He had a hunch that something big was going on.
He left their home on the Makerere University campus and walked to the NIE (Natioanl Institute of Education), a building that he had built with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. As he walked around the campus and building, he realized, significantly less people about. The whole campus was dead. When he finally found someone, he asked where everyone was. They told him that the president, Idi Amin,  was giving a Speech at the Main Hall. As he made he approached, he saw masses of people crowded outside the Hall. It was completely packed inside but there were speakers outside, projecting the presidents deep, powerful voice.
It was odd for such an unexpected visit so Senteza was naturally curious. Amin didn't seem to be saying anything warranting a personal visit but Senteza hoped for a surprise: and  that's exactly what he got. After standing outside for a few minutes, Amin said something that caught Senteza's ear. From out the loudspeakers, the president announced the immediate removal of Professor Joseph Lutwama from the position of Vice Chancellor. What followed was the surprise Senteza was waiting for. Out of the loudspeakers, in heavy broken English, Amin stated that in the University's best interest, the new Vice Chancellor, would be non other than William Senteza Kajubi, effective immediately.
Appalled, the young Professor maneuvered the dense crowds and made his way inside and to the stage. There he met the tall and burly Amin who proudly shook his hand and formally presented him the position. After the meeting, Senteza rushed home and told his wife the news. It proved too much for her to embrace. Frantically, she prayed and devised outlandish plans flee the country. Idi Amin was the most ruthless leader of the time and  anyone working under him was gambling with their life. His eccentricity lead him to act often act violently and irrationally. Senteza calmed his wife and explained, he had to take the job, knowing very well the danger it prevented.
For the next few days, Senteza sat in his armchair and thought silently. Had he not been at the assembly that day, Amin would most have most likey irrationally ordered his death. If he were to refuse the offer, he would no doubt be killed. The decision seemed simple, but even  in accepting the position, he knew that  death was always a possibility.