In 1971, Amin launched a coup d'état, ousting Obote and installing himself as President. As member of a West Nile tribal group and dependant of Amin, Gore was among those who profited from the coup. He was rapidly promoted, becoming lieutenant colonel and head of the Mechanised Specialist Reconnaissance Regiment in Masaka, better known as the "Suicide Battalion", by 1973. Gore quickly gained a reputation as "the most ferocious and vicious commander" of the Uganda Army. According to one of his subordinates, Colonel Bernard Rwehururu, Gore was not fond of administrative work, and instead preferred to solve issues through fistfights. A hands-on leader, he "did not know or care much about matters of command". While serving as commander of the Suicide Battalion, Gore was the target of a conspiracy by two majors, Asega and Nasur Ezaga, who were Lugbara and resented being commanded by someone of West Nile or Sudanese origin.