# John Butler Walden

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Tanzanian Army general (1939–2002)

John Butler Walden Walden as a brigadier in 1979 Nickname Black Mamba Born (1939-12-12)12 December 1939 Tunduru, Tanganyika Died 7 July 2002(2002-07-07) (aged 62) Buried Mbeya, Tanzania Allegiance Britain Tanganyika Tanzania Branch King's African Rifles Tanganyika Rifles Tanzania People's Defence Force Service years 1957–? Rank Major General Commands 207th Brigade TPDF Conflicts Uganda–Tanzania War Invasion of Kagera Battle of Simba Hills Battle of Masaka Fall of Kampala

**John Butler Walden**[a] (12 December 1939 – 7 July 2002) was a Tanzanian military officer. Born in [British Tanganyika](/source/Tanganyika_(territory)) to a white father and black mother, he enlisted in the [King's African Rifles](/source/King's_African_Rifles) in 1957 after finishing school. He eventually achieved the rank of [sergeant](/source/Sergeant) and, following Tanganyika's independence, was transferred to the [Tanganyika Rifles](/source/Tanganyika_Rifles). In April 1963 he became a [lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant). He was later promoted to [major](/source/Major_(rank)) and held command of a camp in Mafinga. During the [Uganda–Tanzania War](/source/Uganda%E2%80%93Tanzania_War) of 1978 and 1979 Walden served as commander of the 207th Brigade in the [Tanzania People's Defence Force](/source/Tanzania_People's_Defence_Force) with the rank of [brigadier](/source/Brigadier). In 1981 he organised the withdrawal of the Tanzanian troops in Uganda. By 1987 he had been promoted to [major general](/source/Major_general) and two years later he oversaw an anti-poaching operation. He died in 2002.

## Early life

John Butler Walden was born on 12 December 1939 to a white father, Stanley Arthur Walden, and a black mother, Violet Nambela in [Tunduru](/source/Tunduru), [Tanganyika](/source/Tanganyika_(territory)).[2] Stanley Walden worked in the British colonial administration as [Tunduru District](/source/Tunduru_District) Commissioner.[3] Violet Nambela was the daughter of Andrew Sinkala, an official at the Tunduru Game Department.[2]

In 1941 John Walden moved with his maternal grandmother to [Mbeya](/source/Mbeya). The following year his father was reassigned to a post in Njombe, [Iringa](/source/Iringa), and Walden subsequently moved there.[2] In 1945 he enrolled in Tosamanganga School, a Christian boarding school in Iringa which hosted many mixed-race students. His father secretly paid for his school fees.[2][4] He spoke little with his parents while attending the institution, though the staff took a personal liking to him and his younger brother, Paul.[b] He completed primary studies in 1952[2] and graduated in 1956 after completing the tenth grade, the most senior grade offered.[4] According to historian Azaria Mbughuni, "the experience at Tosamaganga shaped the character of the young John. He learned to be tough and independent."[2]

## Military career

In 1957 Walden saw a recruitment advertisement for the [King's African Rifles](/source/King's_African_Rifles) (KAR), and, forgoing his original wish to join the navy, decided to enlist at Colito Barracks in [Dar es Salaam](/source/Dar_es_Salaam). He enjoyed military life and saw his service as an opportunity for adventure. Due to a shortage of administrative staff in the training section, he worked as a clerk for several months before beginning formal military instruction in July. In February 1958 he completed his training and was assigned to A Company, 6th Battalion KAR at Colito. Around two months later he was promoted to [lance corporal](/source/Lance_corporal). In early 1958 Walden was sent to [Nakuru](/source/Nakuru) for instruction in storekeeping. After completing it he returned to Colito, though his company had already been posted to [Mauritius](/source/Mauritius) for routine garrison duties. The following year he joined his unit there, and served as a storekeeper, performed administrative duties, and acted as a translator for the sub-area commander. In 1960 [a cyclone](/source/1959%E2%80%9360_South-West_Indian_Ocean_cyclone_season) struck the island and Walden was given charge of co-ordinating the distribution of disaster relief supplies with the [Red Cross](/source/Red_Cross). Afterwards, A Company returned to Dar es Salaam, staying there for one or two months before being moved to [Shinyanga](/source/Shinyanga).[5] In December 1961 Tanganyika became [a sovereign state](/source/Tanganyika_(1961%E2%80%931964)) and the 6th Battalion KAR were transferred to the newly formed [Tanganyika Rifles](/source/Tanganyika_Rifles).[6] In 1962 Walden was made a [sergeant](/source/Sergeant) and became his company's [quartermaster](/source/Quartermaster). With the assistance of his unit's commander, he was able to take multiple specialised training courses. In late 1962 he was enrolled in [Mons Officer Cadet School](/source/Mons_Officer_Cadet_School). He graduated in April 1963 as a [lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant) and was given command of a platoon in B Company, 1st Tanganyika Rifles at Colito.[5] Walden later chose "Black Mamba"—the name of a [venomous snake](/source/Black_mamba)—as his *nom de guerre*.[7] He was a skilled marksman. In the late 1960s he held various responsibilities, including command of a Tanzania [National Service](/source/National_service) camp in Mafinga, Iringa while holding the rank of [major](/source/Major_(rank)). Shortly after [Mozambique](/source/Mozambique) [obtained independence](/source/Mozambican_War_of_Independence) in 1975, Walden was sent there to serve as a [military attaché](/source/Military_attach%C3%A9).[2]

During the [Uganda–Tanzania War](/source/Uganda%E2%80%93Tanzania_War) Walden served as commander of the 207th Brigade in the [Tanzania People's Defence Force](/source/Tanzania_People's_Defence_Force) (TPDF) with the rank of [brigadier](/source/Brigadier).[7] Ugandan forces [occupied territory](/source/Invasion_of_Kagera) in northern Tanzania in late 1978, and during the TPDF's counter-attack Walden and his men recaptured [Minziro](/source/Minziro_Forest_Reserve) and a sugar plantation.[2] In early 1979 the TPDF invaded Uganda. The 207th Brigade was tasked with [eliminating the Ugandan garrison at Katera](/source/Battle_of_Simba_Hills). Walden ordered his troops to advance down a flooded path through a swamp to attack the town without being threatened by Ugandan troops. He accompanied his unit on the 50-hour trek. The brigade moved single-file through deep water and briefly lost contact with the local TPDF headquarters when its radios were rendered inoperative by the wet conditions. However, it were able to reach its destination and seize Katera after driving out the Ugandans with artillery fire. The unit was thereafter dubbed "the Amphibious Brigade" by Tanzanian soldiers.[8] On 24 February Walden and his brigade participated in the [capture of Masaka](/source/Battle_of_Masaka).[9] On 10 April the TPDF [attacked Kampala](/source/Fall_of_Kampala). The 207th Brigade advanced into the western portion of the city,[10] and Walden oversaw the capture of President [Idi Amin](/source/Idi_Amin)'s residence.[3] After the battle, his brigade was tasked with occupying the entirety of Kampala and maintaining order.[11] In June 1981 he organised the withdrawal of all TPDF troops from Uganda.[12]

In 1985 [Julius Nyerere](/source/Julius_Nyerere), the [President of Tanzania](/source/President_of_Tanzania), resigned and was replaced by [Ali Hassan Mwinyi](/source/Ali_Hassan_Mwinyi). In 1988 Mwinyi reportedly considered making Walden Chief of the TPDF, but passed him over for the appointment.[c] According to some sources, Mwinyi called him to tell him that while he was the most qualified officer for the role, he could not be given the appointment. The reasons for the decision were not specified.[2] By 1987 Walden had been promoted to the rank of [major general](/source/Major_general).[14] In 1989 he was placed in command of Operation Uhai to combat poachers on Tanzanian lands. He spent several nights leading wildlife rangers on patrols in the desert, successfully reducing illegal hunting of elephants.[3] By 1997, Walden served as the Tanzanian military attaché in London.[15] He later retired from the army.[16]

## Death

Walden died on 7 July 2002 and was buried in Mbeya.[3]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** He has also been called "Jack Walden".[1]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Paul was five or six years younger than John, and though both were fathered by Stanley Arthur Walden, Paul may have been born to a different African mother.[4]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** According to the *[New Africa](/source/New_Africa)*, Walden was the favourite among the soldiers for the post.[13]

## Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHooper1999xxvi,_767_1-0)** [Hooper 1999](#CITEREFHooper1999), pp. xxvi, 767.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-mbughuni_3-8) Mbughuni, Azaria (24 April 2019). ["'Black Mamba': Legend in the Tanzanian army"](https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazine/politicalreforms/-Black-Mamba---Legend-in-the-Tanzanian-army/1843776-5085440-159ixdc/index.html). *The Citizen*. Retrieved 3 June 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-daudi_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-daudi_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-daudi_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-daudi_4-3) Daudi, Francis (11 January 2018). ["Mfahamu 'Black Mamba' na Historia ya Tanzania"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150011/http://www.rai.co.tz/mfahamu-black-mamba-na-historia-ya-tanzania/). *Rai* (in Swahili). Archived from [the original](http://www.rai.co.tz/mfahamu-black-mamba-na-historia-ya-tanzania/) on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMbogoni2018The_case_of_Stanley_Arthur_Walden_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMbogoni2018The_case_of_Stanley_Arthur_Walden_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMbogoni2018The_case_of_Stanley_Arthur_Walden_5-2) [Mbogoni 2018](#CITEREFMbogoni2018), The case of Stanley Arthur Walden.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny199321_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny199321_7-1) [Tanganyika Rifles Mutiny 1993](#CITEREFTanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny1993), p. 21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny199325_8-0)** [Tanganyika Rifles Mutiny 1993](#CITEREFTanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny1993), p. 25.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAvirganHoney198380_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAvirganHoney198380_9-1) [Avirgan & Honey 1983](#CITEREFAvirganHoney1983), p. 80.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAvirganHoney198379–80_10-0)** [Avirgan & Honey 1983](#CITEREFAvirganHoney1983), pp. 79–80.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-lubega1_11-0)** Lubega, Henry (26 April 2014). ["Revisiting the Tanzania-Uganda war that toppled Amin"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180124160036/http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Revisiting-the-Tanzania-Uganda-war-that-toppled-Amin/688342-2293306-110gxl9/index.html). *Daily Monitor*. Archived from [the original](https://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Revisiting-the-Tanzania-Uganda-war-that-toppled-Amin/688342-2293306-110gxl9/index.html) on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAvirganHoney1983133,_145_12-0)** [Avirgan & Honey 1983](#CITEREFAvirganHoney1983), pp. 133, 145.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAvirganHoney1983154_13-0)** [Avirgan & Honey 1983](#CITEREFAvirganHoney1983), p. 154.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAvirganHoney1983231–232_14-0)** [Avirgan & Honey 1983](#CITEREFAvirganHoney1983), pp. 231–232.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["New Army Commander"](https://books.google.com/books?id=gQMOAQAAMAAJ). *Bulletin of Tanzanian Affairs* (32): 31. 1 January 1989.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny199333_17-0)** [Tanganyika Rifles Mutiny 1993](#CITEREFTanganyika_Rifles_Mutiny1993), p. 33.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHooper1999767_18-0)** [Hooper 1999](#CITEREFHooper1999), p. 767.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Obituaries"](https://books.google.com/books?id=QwoOAQAAMAAJ). *Tanzanian Affairs* (73): 30. 1 September 2002.

## References

- [Avirgan, Tony](/source/Tony_Avirgan); [Honey, Martha](/source/Martha_Honey) (1983). *War in Uganda: The Legacy of Idi Amin*. Dar es Salaam: Tanzania Publishing House. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9976-1-0056-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9976-1-0056-3).

- Hooper, Edward (1999). *The River: A Journey Back to the Source of HIV and AIDS*. London: Allen Lane. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7139-9335-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7139-9335-6).

- Mbogoni, Lawrence (2018). [*Miscegenation, Identity and Status in Colonial Africa: Intimate Colonial Encounters*](https://books.google.com/books?id=2GN8DwAAQBAJ). [Boca Raton](/source/Boca_Raton%2C_Florida): Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-351-66789-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-351-66789-0).

- [*Tanganyika Rifles Mutiny: January 1964*](https://books.google.com/books?id=8LAwAQAAIAAJ). Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam University Press. 1993. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9976-60-187-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9976-60-187-9).

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