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 increased tribalism and extremist nationalism. Over 8 years of his leadership, 300 to 500 thousand civilians were deported and killed.
early years
The exact date of birth of the future dictator is unknown. Historians call two alleged dates - January 1, 1925 and May 17, 1928. Place of birth - the capital of Uganda, Kampala or a city in the north-west of Koboko. Go Amin was born a strong child, physically he developed rapidly and was very strong. The height of Idi Amin in adulthood was 192 centimeters, and weight - 110 kilograms.
Amin's mother, Assa Aatte, was born in the Lugbar tribe. According to official figures, she worked as a nurse, but the Ugandans themselves considered her a powerful sorceress. Amin’s father was Andre Nyabire, he left the family shortly after the birth of his son.
At 16, Idi Amin converted to Islam and attended a Muslim school in Bombo. Education always interested him less than sports, so he devoted little time to classes. Amin’s associates claimed that until the end of his life he remained illiterate, could not read and write. Instead of painting on government documents, the dictator left a fingerprint.
Military service
In 1946, Idi Amin got a job in the British army. At first, he served as an assistant cook, and in 1947 he served in Kenya as an ordinary Royal African shooter. 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 Kenyata, who would later be called the "father of the Kenyan nation."
The composure and courage shown in the battles caused Amin to quickly advance in the service. In 1948, he was appointed corporal of the 4th battalion of the Royal African Riflemen, and in 1952 he was promoted to sergeant. In 1953, as a result of the successful operation to eliminate the Kenyan rebel general, Amin was promoted and received the rank of effendi, and in 1961 he was promoted to lieutenant.
After Uganda gained independence in 1962, Amin became the captain of the Ugandan army and became close to Prime Minister Milton Obote. This period was characterized by an increase in the contradictions between Obote and Eduard Mutesa II - the country's president. The conflict resulted in the deposition of Moutessa II and the proclamation 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'etat and seizure of power
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 staged a coup d'etat and overthrew the incumbent, accusing him of corruption. The time for the coup was chosen well. President Obote paid an official visit to Singapore and could not influence the development of events in his country.
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 reinstated the Constitution, and Idi Amin was declared President and Commander of Uganda.
- Secret police dissolved, political prisoners amnestied.
- The body of Edward Moutessa II, who died in London under mysterious circumstances, was returned to his homeland and solemnly reburied.
After Israel refused to lend to the Ugandan economy, Amin broke off diplomatic relations with this country. The new ally of Uganda was Libya, led by Muammar Gaddafi. Both countries were united by the desire to get rid of foreign dependence and contribute to the development of the anti-imperialist movement around the world. Friendly relations were also established with the Soviet Union, which supplied military and humanitarian aid to Uganda.
Domestic policy
Ugandan President 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 the ideas of socialism, racism, and nationalism into society. Death squads were created, the victims of which until May 1971 became almost the whole of the highest army command. Representatives of the intelligentsia also became victims of cruel repression.
The situation in the country worsened every day. Not a single person could be sure of his safety, including the president himself. Go Amin increasingly worried about suspicion. He was afraid to become a victim of a conspiracy, so he killed all the people who could become potential conspirators.
Steps taken in the field of domestic policy:
- To combat dissent, a State Investigation Bureau has been established with high authority.
- About 50 thousand people from South Asia were deported on charges of economic disasters.
- The start of fierce terror against the Christian population of Uganda.
The economic situation of Uganda
The presidency of Idi Amin is characterized by a sharp deterioration in the economic situation in the country: the depreciation of monetary currency, the looting of enterprises previously owned by Asians, the decline of agriculture, the poor state of highways and railways.
The government took the following steps to restore the state’s economy:
- strengthening the public sector of the economy;
- nationalization of private enterprise in the field of domestic trade;
- expansion of economic cooperation with Arab countries.
State efforts aimed at restoring a ruined economy did not lead to positive results. At the time of the overthrow, Amin Uganda was one of the poorest countries in the world.
Foreign Policy: Entebbe Raid
Dictator Idi Amin led an active foreign policy with Libya and the Palestine Liberation Organization. When on June 27, 1976, terrorists from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Revolutionary Cell (FRG) hijacked a plane from a French airline, Amid allowed the terrorists to land him at Entebbe Airport. On board the aircraft were 256 hostages, who were to be exchanged for the arrested fighters of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Amin gave permission for the release of hostages who were not citizens of Israel. In case of failure to comply with the militants' requirements, the executions of the remaining hostages were planned for July 4. However, the plans of the terrorists were foiled. On July 3, Israeli intelligence services conducted a successful hostage release operation.
The personal life of the dictator
Wives of Idi Amin:
- The first wife of young Amin was Malia-mu Kibedi, the daughter of a school teacher, who was later accused of political unreliability.
- The second wife is 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. Reason for divorce: women doing business.
- Amin’s fourth wife was Medina, a Baghdani dancer with whom he had a passionate relationship.
- The fifth wife is Sarah Kayalaba, whose lover was killed by order of Amin.
In the photo, Idi Amin is captured with his wife Sarah. The photo was taken in 1978.
Overthrow and exile
In October, Uganda sent troops against Tanzania. Ugandan forces, together with the Libyan military, launched an attack on the province of Kager. But Amin’s predatory plans were foiled. The Tanzanian army knocked out the enemy army from the territory of their country and launched an offensive on Uganda.
On April 11, 1979, Amin escaped 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.
Dictator's death
The deposed ruler in the last years of his life suffered from high blood pressure and kidney failure. 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 a coma, but his health condition was still grave. He died on August 16, 2003.
Go Amin - a hero for his people, as he himself used to believe, was declared a national criminal in Uganda. A ban was introduced 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 the life of Amin
In Ugandan history, Idi Amin was the most cruel and odious ruler. There were many rumors about the life of an illiterate president, some of which were only speculations of his opponents and the result of propaganda. Representatives of the Western press ridiculed the eccentricity of the dictator's behavior, and magazines printed caricatures on him, one of which is presented above.
Facts about Idi Amin characterizing his personality:
- Amin was a cannibal. He liked the taste of human meat, and in exile, he often talked about missing his past eating habits.
- The dictator called Hitler his idol and admired his personality.
- Idi Amin was a physically developed person. He swam perfectly, played rugby well and in his youth was one of the best boxers in his country.
- The President of Uganda had a passion for medals and awards of World War II. He solemnly put them on his uniform, which caused ridicule from foreign journalists.
