Having learned that Obote was planning to arrest him for misappropriating army funds, Amin launched a coup on 25 January 1971, while Obote was attending a Commonwealth summit meeting in Singapore. Army and military police forces loyal to Amin moved to secure strategic positions in and around Kampala and Entebbe. The putschists sealed off Entebbe International Airport to prevent Obote's return, and tanks and soldiers patrolled the streets of Kampala and Entebbe.
Having discovered that Obote was going to arrest him for embezzling military funds, Amin staged a coup on 25 January 1971, while Obote was at a Commonwealth conference in Singapore. The army and military police forces loyal to Amin took control of key locations around Kampala and Entebbe. The plotters blocked the airport in Entebbe to stop Obote's return, and tanks and soldiers patrolled the streets of Kampala and Entebbe.