>>Part 6 of Uganda and Tanzania's Turbulent Tango

November 19th witnessed the Tanzanians conjuring a pontoon bridge across the formidable Kagera River. As the bridge emerged, a symbol of impending triumph, patrols were dispatched into the heart of the contested Kagera Salient, setting the stage for a daring move.

The counter-offensive, however, played havoc with Ugandan command and control. Amid the chaos, the once-orchestrated resistance dissolved into disarray, leaving only a handful of officers attempting to salvage order from the pandemonium.

On November 23rd, a crescendo echoed through the theater of war as three formidable Tanzanian People's Defence Force (TPDF) brigades boldly crossed the pontoon bridge. The reclamation of the Kagera Salient had begun, a testament to resilience and determination.

Yet, the symphony of conflict carried discordant notes. In late November, the Ugandan government declared a voluntary withdrawal from the Kagera Salient, claiming an end to all hostilities. A peculiar performance unfolded as 50 foreign diplomats were airlifted to the border, reporting a puzzling absence of ongoing conflict.

Tanzanian officials, however, vehemently denounced the withdrawal statement, insisting on the forcible removal of Ugandan troops and revealing the lingering presence of some within Tanzanian borders.

As December dawned, a strategic ballet unfolded. On December 4th, the TPDF's 206th and Southern Brigades executed a flawless maneuver, securing Mutukula on the Tanzanian side without a whisper of resistance. Simultaneously, the 207th Brigade reclaimed Minziro, knitting together the fabric of territory torn by conflict.

The tide of battle left the Ugandan Army battered and demoralized. Pushed out of Kagera, their discipline waned, creating an opportunity for the Tanzanians to strike along the border. Fearing a resurgence, Tanzanian commanders eyed the high ground at Mutukula in Uganda as a looming threat to the salient. President Nyerere concurred, issuing orders to capture the town.

Yet, amidst preparations for this crucial operation, the TPDF found itself juggling the complexities of training and organizing its expanded forces. December 1978 witnessed a dance of limited engagement—trench warfare—along the border. Sporadic clashes and air raids painted the canvas of conflict.

In this complex dance, unexpected players entered the stage. Militants from the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) stood shoulder to shoulder with Ugandan forces, allies bound by years of camaraderie.

The PLO's presence, a strategic move to safeguard their interests in the region, added a layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama. Reports hinted at Pakistani technicians and air force personnel bolstering Amin's forces, while Saudi Arabia, in a mysterious twist, allegedly provided military assistance during the tumultuous Uganda–Tanzania War.