One of the most tragic periods in the history of Uganda is the reign of dictator Idi Amin, who forcibly seized power and pursued a brutal nationalist policy. Amin's regime was characterized by the rise of tribalism and extremist nationalism. During the 8 years of his leadership of the country, from 300 to 500 thousand civilians were deported and killed.
Early years
The exact date of birth of the future dictator is unknown. Historians name two supposed dates - January 1, 1925 and May 17, 1928. Place of birth - the capital of Uganda, Kampala, or a city in the north-west of the country, Koboko. Idi Amin was born a strong child, physically he developed rapidly and was very strong. Idi Amin's height in adulthood was 192 centimeters, and his weight was 110 kilograms.
Amin's mother, Assa Aatte, was born in the Lugbara tribe. According to official records, she worked as a nurse, but the Ugandans themselves considered her a powerful sorceress. Amin's father's name was Andre Nyabire, he left the family shortly after the birth of his son.
At 16, Idi Amin converted to Islamand attended a Muslim school in Bombo. Studying has always interested him less than sports, so he devoted little time to studies. Amin's close associates claimed that he remained illiterate until the end of his life, could not read and write. Instead of painting state documents, the dictator left his fingerprint.
Serving in the army
In 1946, Idi Amin got a job in the British army. At first, he served as a cook's assistant, and in 1947 he served in Kenya as a private in the Royal African Rifles. In 1949, his division was transferred to Somalia to fight the rebels. Since 1952, the future president of Uganda fought against the Mau Mau rebels, led by Jomo Kenyatta, who would later be called the "father of the Kenyan nation".
The composure and courage shown in the battles became the reason for the rapid promotion of Amin. In 1948 he was commissioned as a Corporal in the 4th Battalion, King's African Fusiliers and in 1952 he was promoted to Sergeant. In 1953, as a result of a successful operation to eliminate Kenyan rebel general Amin, he was promoted to the rank of effendi, and in 1961 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
After Uganda gained independence in 1962, Amin became a captain in the Ugandan army and became close to the country's prime minister, Milton Obote. This period was characterized by growing contradictions between Obote and Edward Mutesa II, the country's president. The result of the conflict was the deposition of Mutessa II andProclamation of Milton Obote as President of the country in March 1966. Local kingdoms were liquidated, and Uganda was officially declared a unitary republic.
Coup d'état and power grab
In 1966, Idi Amin was appointed commander-in-chief of the armed forces and received broad powers, using which he began to recruit an army of people loyal to him. On January 25, 1971, Amin organized a coup d'état and overthrew the incumbent president, accusing him of corruption. The time for the revolution was well chosen. President Obote was on an official visit to Singapore and could not influence the developments in his country in any way.
Amin's first steps as president were aimed at winning the sympathy of the population and establishing friendly relations with foreign leaders:
- Decree No. 1 restored the Constitution and Idi Amin was declared President and Commander-in-Chief of Uganda.
- Secret police disbanded, political prisoners amnestied.
- The body of Edward Mutessa II, who died in London under unclear circumstances, was returned to his homeland and solemnly reburied.
After Israel's refusal to lend to the Ugandan economy, Amin severed diplomatic relations with this country. Libya, led by Muammar Gaddafi, has become a new ally of Uganda. Both countries were united by the desire to get rid of foreign dependence and promote the development of the anti-imperialist movement around the world. Alsofriendly relations were established with the Soviet Union, which supplied Uganda with military and humanitarian aid.
Domestic policy
President of Uganda Idi Amin pursued a tough domestic policy, which was characterized by the strengthening of the central apparatus, the nationalization of property and the introduction of ideas of socialism, racism and nationalism into society. Death squadrons were created, the victims of which, until May 1971, were almost in full force the highest army command staff. Representatives of the intelligentsia also fell victim to brutal repressions.
The situation in the country worsened every day. Not a single person could be sure of his safety, including the president himself. Idi Amin became increasingly suspicious. He was afraid of becoming a victim of a conspiracy, so he killed all the people who could become potential conspirators.
Steps taken in domestic policy:
- The high-powered Bureau of Public Investigation has been established to combat dissent.
- About 50,000 South Asians have been deported on charges of the country's economic disasters.
- Start of brutal terror against the Christian population of Uganda.
Economic situation in Uganda
The presidency of Idi Amin is characterized by a sharp deterioration in the economic situation in the country: the depreciation of the currency, the looting of formerly Asian-owned enterprises, the decline of agriculture, the poor condition of highways andrailways.
The government has taken the following steps to restore the economy of the state:
- strengthening the public sector of the economy;
- nationalization of private enterprise in the field of domestic trade;
- expansion of economic cooperation with Arab countries.
The efforts of the state aimed at restoring the devastated economy have not led to positive results. At the time of Amin's overthrow, Uganda was one of the poorest countries in the world.
Foreign policy: "Entebbe raid"
The dictator Idi Amin had an active foreign policy with Libya and the Palestine Liberation Organization. When terrorists from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Revolutionary Cell (FRG) hijacked a French airline plane on June 27, 1976, Amid allowed the terrorists to land it at Entebbe airport. On board were 256 hostages who were to be exchanged for arrested PLO fighters.
Amin gave permission for the release of hostages who were not Israeli citizens. In case of non-compliance with the demands of the militants, executions of the remaining hostages were scheduled for July 4. However, the plans of the terrorists were thwarted. On July 3, Israeli intelligence agencies conducted a successful operation to free the hostages.
The private life of a dictator
Wives of Idi Amin:
- The first wife of young Amin was Malia-mu Kibedi, the daughter of a school teacher, who lateraccused of political unreliability.
- Second wife - Kay Androa. She was a very beautiful girl with a bright appearance.
- The third wife of the dictator is Nora. Amin announced a divorce from his first three wives in March 1974. Cause of divorce: women doing business.
- Amin's fourth wife was Medina, a Baganday dancer with whom he had a passionate relationship.
- The fifth wife is Sara Kayalaba, whose lover was killed on the orders of Amin.
The photo shows Idi Amin with his wife Sarah. The photo was taken in 1978.
Overthrow and exile
In October, Uganda sent troops against Tanzania. Ugandan troops, together with the Libyan military, launched an offensive against the province of Kagera. But Amin's aggressive plans were thwarted. The army of Tanzania knocked out the enemy army from the territory of their country and launched an offensive against Uganda.
April 11, 1979, Amin fled from the capital, captured by Tanzanian troops. Under the threat of a military tribunal, the former dictator left for Libya, and then moved to Saudi Arabia.
Death of a dictator
The deposed ruler suffered from high blood pressure and kidney failure in the last years of his life. Shortly before his death, Amin fell into a coma and was in the hospital, where he constantly received threats. A week later the patient came out of the coma, but his he alth was still serious. He died on 16August 2003.
Go Amin - a hero for his people, as he himself used to think, was declared a national criminal in Uganda. A ban was imposed on the burial of his ashes in the territory of the country he destroyed, so he was buried in Saudi Arabia in the city of Jeddah. After the death of Idi Amin, British Minister David Owen said in an interview that "Amin's regime was the worst of all."
Interesting facts about Amin's life
In the history of Uganda, Idi Amin was the most cruel and odious ruler. There were many rumors about the life of the illiterate president, some of which were only speculations of his opponents and the product of propaganda. Representatives of the Western press ridiculed the dictator's eccentric behavior, and magazines printed cartoons on him, one of which is presented above.
Facts about Idi Amin that characterize his personality:
- Amin was a cannibal. He liked the taste of human meat, and in exile he often spoke of missing his former eating habits.
- The dictator called Hitler his idol and admired his personality.
- Idi Amin was a physically developed person. He was an excellent swimmer, a good rugby player and in his youth was one of the best boxers in his country.
- The President of Uganda had a passion for World War II medals and decorations. He solemnly put them on his uniform, which caused ridicule from foreign journalists.
Mentioning the dictator in popular culture
Movies based onAmin's presidency:
- French director Barbe Schroeder filmed the documentary "Idi Amin Dada" about the life of the Ugandan dictator.
- The episode with the hostage-taking and landing of the plane at the airport of Uganda is shown in the film "Raid on Entebbe". The role of Amin in the dramatic film was played by Yaphet Kotto.
- The expulsion of Indians, carried out on the orders of Amin, served as the basis for the film "Mississippi Masala".
- The feature film "Operation Thunderball" was filmed based on real events.
The films introduce the viewer to the atmosphere of terror and general arbitrariness that reigned in Uganda during the reign of the brutal dictator Idi Amin.
