[8] When the Italians invaded Ethiopia in 1935, at the age of 15 Jagama and his older brother went into the bush to join the Arbegnoch.

Peasants joined the struggle and by the end of the war they had over 3,000 fighters under their command, his forces were active in the mountainous areas of western Shewa.

He was then driven in the Emperor’s own car to his palace, where he was awarded a gabardine coat and a gold watch.

It was only when Emperor Haile Selassie came to his house and personally ordered that his hair be cut to save his life that he gave in and accepted his fate.

He remained loyal to Emperor Haile Selassie when others deserted him, and was one of a number of officers who refused to participate in the ill-fated coup of 1960.