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Thank you. It's the afternoon of May 23, 1966, at the Lubiri Palace in Kampala, Uganda. President Lutasa scrambles behind a desk in his study as heavy artillery slams into the building.

The walls shake, dust drifts down from the ceiling,

and between explosions, he can hear distant shouts and screams for help.

41-year-old Lutasa is embroiled in a power struggle with his former Prime Minister, Milton Obote.

Obote has suspended the Constitution and declared himself the ruler of Uganda.

Now he's ordered the Ugandan army to attack Mutesa's compound in the capital and capture

him dead or alive.

Mutesa is sure it will be dead if this bombardment continues, but then suddenly the artillery

stops.

Mutasa lifts his head cautiously above the desk as his chief advisor and a small group of guards

burst into the room.

They help Lutasa to his feet as the chief advisor explains that a thunderstorm has temporarily

halted the advance of the Ugandan army.

The rain won't last forever.

If they're going to escape

with their lives, this is their only chance. Mutasa gives a quick nod, then they all hurry

out of the office into a hallway. Lights flicker overhead, and their feet crunch on debris as the

guards hurry them toward a back door. Outside, the palace gardens are veiled by sheets of heavy rain.

...