The Battle of Gayaza Hills was Tanzania's costliest single engagement of the Uganda-Tanzania War, with 24 soldiers killed in an ambush that also proved Uganda's most effective tactical operation.
Key Facts
- Date
- 21 or 23 February 1979
- Tanzanian soldiers killed in ambush
- 24 soldiers
- Attacking unit
- Tanzanian 206th Brigade
- Outcome
- Tanzania captured the Gayaza Hills by end of day
- Next objective captured
- Mbarara, on 25 February 1979
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Uganda's occupation of the Kagera Salient and Idi Amin's refusal to renounce territorial claims on Tanzania, President Julius Nyerere ordered Tanzanian forces to advance into southern Uganda toward Masaka and Mbarara. Retreating Ugandan troops occupied the strategically positioned Gayaza Hills overlooking Lake Nakivale, blocking the Tanzanian advance.
On 21 or 23 February 1979, Tanzania's 206th Brigade attacked Ugandan positions in the Gayaza Hills. During the battle, Ugandan forces ambushed a Tanzanian battalion at Kajurungusi that was attempting to pursue them, killing 24 soldiers in one of the war's most effective Ugandan maneuvers. By the day's end, Tanzanian forces outflanked the defenders and secured the hills.
Tanzania captured the Gayaza Hills and proceeded to take Mbarara on 25 February 1979. The ambush at Kajurungusi was recognized as one of the Uganda Army's few well-executed operations of the entire war, while the 24 Tanzanian deaths in a single engagement represented the heaviest loss Tanzania sustained at any one time during the conflict.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent