The Uganda Nationalist Organization was formed around 1978. Its initial leading members were Roger Makasa, ex-chairman of Uganda's Coffee Marketing Board, Robert Serumaga, a Ugandan playwright, and Andrew Adimola who had formerly served as minister in Amin's government. The group claimed to serve as umbrella group for all Ugandan opposition groups who were not just anti-Amin, but also opposed to Milton Obote. The latter had been Uganda's president before Amin's takeover and had become a leading member of the exiled opposition.