Lutheran Student Movement-USA

1978

78-7     Resolution on Ugandan Coffee Imports to the Untied States

Background

The atrocities committed by Idi Amin since his rise to power in 1971 are well known.  For example, after his takeover he slew thousands of his own soldiers.  Asians and Jews were forced into exile after Amin’s praise of the Hitler Holocaust. His wrath is not aimed at one group by falls indiscriminately on many.  It is estimated that between one hundred thousand and three hundred thousand people have been murdered by Amin’s regime. 

The export of Uganda coffee provides the major financial support for Amin’s regime.  In 1976 the exports amounted to three quarters of a billion dollars.  One third of these exports were purchased by American corporations.  The United States thus supports the regime of Idi Amin through the purchase of Ugandan coffee.  In response, the House of Representatives has introduced three bills to restrict trade between Uganda and the United States, one of which will ban the import of Ugandan coffee (H.B. 9526).

Resolved

1) That LSM-USA condemns the purchase of Ugandan coffee by U.S. corporations.  By the adoption of this resolution, local groups of LSM-USA commit ourselves to write letters to coffee importers, urging them to end the importation of Ugandan coffee, enclosing an copy of this resolution. 

2) That each LSM group be responsible for writing its representatives and/or senator encouraging them to support House bill 9526 which bans the importation of Ugandan coffee, enclosing a copy of this resolution.

3) That time be set aside at one of the first group meetings of local LSM groups in the fall to discuss the situation and to encourage individuals to write the afore mentioned letters.

4) That the MIT-LSM group prepare a list of corporations that import coffee, including statistics on quantities imported by each.  This information will be included in the post conference packet. 

References

“Stop the Terror in Uganda”, Christianity & Crisis, Volume 38, No. 8, May 29, 1978, John c. Bennett, Editor, p. 126-127.