Life of Idi Amin and how he rose to power
Idi Amin, one of the most notorious figures in modern African history, ruled Uganda with an iron fist from 1971 to 1979. His regime was characterized by gross human rights abuses, political repression, and economic mismanagement.
Understanding the life of Idi Amin and how he rose to power provides insight into the complexities of post-colonial leadership in Africa, the role of military influence in politics, and the international dynamics of the Cold War era.
Early Life and Military Career
Idi Amin was born around 1925 in Koboko or Kampala, in what was then the British Protectorate of Uganda. His exact birth date remains unknown, which is reflective of the imprecise record-keeping at the time. Amin was a member of the Kakwa ethnic group, a small community in the northwestern region of Uganda.
Amin’s rise began in the King’s African Rifles (KAR), a British colonial regiment, during World War II. He enlisted in 1946, initially serving in Burma, Somalia, and Kenya. Amin quickly rose through the ranks, primarily due to his physical prowess and charisma, rather than through formal education, which he lacked. His military service was marked by a reputation for both bravery and brutality—traits that would later define his rule.
Idi Amin joined the King’s African Rifles of the British Colonial Army as a cook in 1946 and rose to the rank of lieutenant. Image: Idi Amin during the late 1970s.
Political Ascent
After Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962, Amin’s military career continued to flourish under the government of Prime Minister Milton Obote. He was promoted to major and appointed Deputy Commander of the Ugandan Army. Amin played a key role in Obote’s consolidation of power, particularly during the 1966 crisis when Obote suspended the constitution and declared himself President, promoting Amin to Colonel and Commander of the Army.
Amin’s relationship with Obote, however, soon deteriorated due to a combination of personal ambition and strategic disagreements. Obote began to feel threatened by Amin’s growing popularity in the army and among certain public factions. Additionally, accusations against Amin of misappropriating army funds and involving in various other illegal activities, including smuggling, surfaced, further straining their relationship.
Coup d’État and Rise to Power
The breaking point came in January 1971, when Obote, while attending a Commonwealth summit in Singapore, learned of a planned military coup by Amin. By the time Obote could act to secure his regime, Amin had capitalized on his strategic position and widespread army support to seize power.
The coup was largely bloodless and met with considerable support, both within the military and from various segments of Ugandan society who were discontented with Obote’s increasingly autocratic rule.
Once in power, Amin declared himself ‘President for Life’, as well as Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa among other titles. He capitalized on anti-Western sentiment and exploited Cold War dynamics to secure his position. He forged alliances with Libya and the Soviet Union to receive military and economic support, positioning Uganda in direct opposition to Western interests.
Regime Characteristics
Amin’s rule was characterized by extreme violence and human rights abuses. It is estimated that during his eight years in power, between 200,000 and 300,000 people were killed. His victims included political opponents, ethnic minorities, intellectuals, and anyone suspected of opposition to his regime.
Economically, Amin’s policies were disastrous. In 1972, he expelled the Asian community, who had played a crucial role in Uganda’s economy, particularly in the sectors of trade, manufacturing, and services. This expulsion led to the collapse of the economy, with severe repercussions for the living standards of ordinary Ugandans.
Idi Amin’s life and rise to power are emblematic of a broader narrative in post-colonial Africa, where charismatic military leaders often exploited weak institutions, ethnic divisions, and Cold War geopolitics to gain and maintain power. Image: Amin in 1975.
“Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa”
As Idi Amin’s rule extended, his behavior became increasingly unpredictable and extreme. Following the UK severing diplomatic ties in 1977, Amin declared his victory over the British, adopting the grandiose title “His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.”
His self-decorations included fictitious military honors and an unearned doctorate from Makerere University. Amid these claims, rumors about Amin’s character circulated widely, including the belief that he was a cannibal and that he kept the heads of political enemies in his freezer, though he purportedly dismissed human flesh as too salty.
These representations, focusing on his eccentricities rather than his human rights abuses, drew criticism for minimizing the severity of his regime. Some suggested that Amin might have cultivated this buffoonish image to distract international attention from the atrocities committed under his rule, masking the harsh reality of his governance with a facade of clownish behavior.
Fall from Power and Exile
Amin’s downfall began with the ill-fated invasion of Tanzania in 1978, a move that stemmed from both territorial ambitions and his increasingly erratic judgment. This led to a war in which Tanzanian forces, supported by Ugandan exiles, counterattacked and eventually captured Kampala in 1979.
Following his ousting, Amin fled first to Libya and then to Saudi Arabia, where he lived in exile until his death in 2003. His years in Saudi Arabia were marked by obscurity and a sharp contrast to his former life as a dictator.
After being ousted, Idi Amin lived in exile in Libya, Iraq, and finally Saudi Arabia, where he died in 2003. Image: A 1966 picture of Amin (left) with Levi Eshkol, who served as Israeli Prime Minister at the time.
Did you know…?
- Idi Amin became the chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1975.
- The UK broke diplomatic relations with Uganda in 1977 following Idi Amin’s declaration that he had defeated the British Empire and added “CBE” to his title.
- Former British Foreign Secretary David Owen disclosed that he had once proposed assassinating Amin, justifying it by comparing Amin’s brutal regime to Pol Pot’s in Cambodia.
“The Last King of Scotland” and other portrayals of Idi Amin in cinema and art
During the 1970s, British comic actor John Bird, fueled by Alan Coren’s satirical writings in Punch, portrayed Idi Amin on the album “The Collected Broadcasts of Idi Amin.” The 1975 satirical single “Amazin’ Man” from this album enjoyed moderate success, charting for 12 weeks and peaking at number 26 in the Australian Singles Chart.
Similarly, Idi Amin’s own peculiar form of self-promotion was captured in the 1974 documentary “General Idi Amin Dada: A Self Portrait,” directed by Barbet Schroeder, which Amin himself supported and participated in.
The portrayal of Amin extended into dramatic cinema with the 1981 Kenyan film “Rise and Fall of Idi Amin,” starring Kenyan actor Joseph Olita as Amin. This film, detailing Amin’s notorious rule, perpetuated many rumors about his brutal acts, including the alleged mutilation of one of his wives. Olita reprised his role as Amin in the 1991 film “Mississippi Masala,” which explores the aftermath of Amin’s 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda through the lens of an inter-racial romance in America.
Idi Amin’s complex character continued to intrigue and was the subject of Giles Foden’s 1998 novel “The Last King of Scotland.” This book, later adapted into a critically acclaimed 2006 film, presents a fictional account of Amin’s rule through the eyes of a young Scottish doctor. American actor Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of Amin in the film was universally praised, earning him several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Leading Actor, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Actor, and BET Awards for Best Actor.
All these portrayals of Idi Amin illustrate the enduring fascination and horror with Amin’s dictatorial regime.
In the international media, Amin was often portrayed more as a comical figure than a brutal dictator. This portrayal included depictions on shows like “Saturday Night Live” and the “Benny Hill Show,” and in films such as “Victory at Entebbe” and “Raid on Entebbe.” Image: Caricature of Amin by Estonian-American artist Edmund S. Valtman.
FAQs
Idi Amin’s regime impacted Uganda in a profound and even in a predominantly negative way. It’s been widely acclaimed that the dictator left a legacy of violence, economic ruin, and deep-seated trauma that the country has struggled to overcome.
Here are some questions and answers based on the provided information about Idi Amin’s rule over Uganda:
When did Idi Amin rule Uganda?
Idi Amin ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979.
What ethnic group did Idi Amin belong to?
Idi Amin was a member of the Kakwa ethnic group.
What role did Idi Amin have in the British colonial army before rising to power in Uganda?
Before rising to power, Idi Amin joined the King’s African Rifles of the British colonial army and worked as a cook. He also served during the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya from 1952 to 1956.
What significant rank did Idi Amin achieve by the time Uganda gained independence in 1962?
By the time Uganda gained independence in 1962, Idi Amin had achieved the rank of officer, one of the few Africans to do so at the time.
How did Idi Amin come to power in Uganda?
Idi Amin came to power in Uganda through a military coup in 1971 after having a falling out with then Prime Minister and President Milton Obote.
What significant action did Idi Amin take against the Asian community in Uganda?
In 1972, Idi Amin expelled Asians, primarily Indian-Ugandans, from Uganda, which led India to sever diplomatic relations with his regime.
What were some notable actions taken by Idi Amin during his rule?
During his rule, Idi Amin expelled Asians from Uganda, persecuted certain tribes, and promoted intense nationalism.
Idi Amin seized power through a coup d’état in 1971 after becoming aware that President Milton Obote planned to arrest him for misappropriating army funds. Image: Milton Obote (1925 – 2005).
What was the estimated death toll resulting from Idi Amin’s regime?
The death toll from Idi Amin’s regime is estimated to be around 300,000 people.
What led to the end of Idi Amin’s rule in 1979?
Idi Amin’s rule ended in 1979 after he invaded Tanzania, which resulted in a retaliatory attack by Tanzanian forces that stormed the Ugandan capital of Kampala.
Where did Idi Amin flee after being ousted from power?
After being ousted from power, Idi Amin fled to Saudi Arabia.
When and how did Idi Amin die?
On July 19, 2003, Idi Amin’s fourth wife, Nalongo Madina, announced that Amin was in a coma and nearing death at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, due to kidney failure. She appealed to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to allow Amin’s return to Uganda for his final days. Museveni responded that Amin would have to face justice for his actions if he returned.
Ultimately, Amin’s family chose to withdraw life support, and he died on August 16, 2003. He was buried simply in Ruwais Cemetery, Jeddah.
Who were Idi Amin’s spouses and children?
Idi Amin Dada, Uganda’s infamous dictator, led a tumultuous personal life parallel to his brutal regime. He married at least six times, some relationships ending in equally dramatic and violent circumstances as the political chaos he orchestrated.
In 1966, Amin married his first and second wives, Malyamu and Kay. The following year, he married Nora, and in 1972, he took Nalongo Madina as his wife. However, by March 1974, he publicly divorced Malyamu, Nora, and Kay via a radio announcement. The same year, Kay Amin was found dead under mysterious, grim circumstances—her body dismembered.
Malyamu faced legal troubles when arrested in 1974 for allegedly attempting to smuggle fabric across the Kenyan border. Nora, after fleeing to Zaire during the collapse of Amin’s regime in 1979, vanished without a trace.
In July 1975, amidst the grandeur of the Organisation of African Unity summit in Kampala, Amin married 19-year-old Sarah Kyolaba, a go-go dancer known as “Suicide Sarah” from the Revolutionary Suicide Mechanised Regiment Band. This lavish £2 million wedding featured Yasser Arafat as Amin’s best man. Sarah’s prior boyfriend, Jesse Gitta, disappeared mysteriously, further clouding Amin’s familial relations with dark rumors.
Sarah and Amin had four children together, sharing a passion for rally racing with Sarah navigating Amin’s Citroën SM. She later became a hairdresser in Tottenham, passing away in 2015.
By 1993, Amin resided with his last wife, Mama a Chumaru, mother to four of his children, and nine of his children. His last child, Iman, was born in 1992.
Reportedly, Amin married once more shortly before his death in 2003 and converted to Islam during his exile in Saudi Arabia.
Amin’s legacy extended to his numerous offspring, with as many as 60 children cited. His eldest son, Taban Amin, led a rebel group against Yoweri Museveni’s government but later received amnesty and a government position in 2006.
Another son, Haji Ali Amin, was unsuccessful in his political endeavors, while Faisal Wangita, born to Sarah, faced legal issues in the UK related to violent crimes. Jaffar Amin, another of Amin’s sons, attempted to rehabilitate his father’s image through a book, arguing against the predominantly negative historical portrayal.
The Ugandan dictator Idi Amin died in 2003 in Saudi Arabia. He was 74 at the time of his death.
What are some of the nicknames Idi Amin had?
Idi Amin, the former Ugandan dictator, accumulated a range of nicknames throughout his notorious career, reflecting the global perception of his brutal rule. Among these, “Big Daddy” stood out as an affectionate term, contrasting sharply with the majority of his other monikers.
He was often called “kijambiya,” meaning “the machete” in Luganda, a reference to the gruesome method often used by Ugandan security forces under his command to murder their victims.
More grimly, Amin was dubbed the “Butcher of Uganda,” “Butcher of Africa,” and “Butcher of Kampala,” titles that underscored the mass violence and human rights abuses during his regime.
Amin was also referred to as the “Black Hitler,” a nickname that starkly highlighted the extreme nature of his dictatorial governance and the terror he instilled.
The nickname “Dada” sparked controversy; while some argued it was a derogatory term implying cowardice, Amin’s family and some researchers suggested it was merely a cultural name from the Lugbara people, occasionally used as a personal name without negative connotations.
Additionally, while in exile in Saudi Arabia, he earned the nickname “Dr. Jaffa” due to his daily consumption of oranges, reflecting a peculiar shift towards fruitarianism. These various labels encapsulate the complex, often darkly viewed character of Idi Amin’s legacy.
