Bob Astles

Robert Astles, BEM (born Robert Asketill; 23 March 1924 – 29 December 2012 ) was a British soldier and colonial officer who lived in Uganda and became an associate of presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin.

Early life Bob Astles was born in Ashford, Kent. He joined the British Indian Army as a teenager and then the Royal Engineers, reaching the rank of lieutenant. Of his war service, he recalled: "I enjoyed being with other nationalities and their fights for world recognition during World War II." Astles came to be known as "Major" Bob (the title of major was given to him by Amin) or "the White Rat" among other white Ugandans. While detained in Kenya, Astles tried to jump from a third-storey window in an apparent suicide attempt in Nairobi.

Kenyan authorities handed him over to Ugandan police in accordance with their request on 9 June. Astles was brought back to Uganda to face criminal charges. Astles was imprisoned for his alleged association with Amin's security apparatus.

Astles was charged with murder, armed robbery, theft, shopbreaking, and stealing from a private house. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Astles said he had never committed any murders, never witnessed any murders, never heard Amin order any murders, and never saw Amin murder anyone. Astles said he had lived in constant fear while in Amin's administration, and that he had remained in his position because he thought he could do some good for Uganda.

Astles renounced his Ugandan citizenship on 4 December 1985 and he was freed from prison the following day.

Personal life In 1958, he married Monica, who had come to Uganda with him from Kent. A year later, after they had divorced, Astles married an aristocratic member of the Buganda kingdom, Mary Senkatuka, and they later adopted two children.

Astles later lived in Wimbledon, London, and continued to deny the allegations for which he was imprisoned. After returning to Britain, he dedicated his life to campaigning against superpower interference in African political and economic affairs. He also contributed political commentaries to a number of publications associated with Africa.

Astles died in South West London on 29 December 2012 at the age of 88. The obituary in The Daily Telegraph described him as "the most hated white man in postcolonial Africa". He also drew on Vallely's lengthy interview in The Times.