Idi Amin
| Idi Amin | |
|---|---|
,_R23930288.jpg)
Amin pictured in 1973
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| 3rd President of Uganda | |
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In office 25 January 1971 – 11 April 1979 |
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| Vice President | Mustafa Adrisi |
| Preceded by | Milton Obote |
| Succeeded by | Yusufu Lule |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Idi Dada c. 1923–1928 Koboko, Uganda Protectorate |
| Died | 16 August 2003 (aged 75–80) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 43 (estimate) |
| Religion | Islam |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
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| Service/branch |
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| Rank |
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| Unit | King's African Rifles (1946–62) |
| Commands | Commander-in-Chief of the Ugandan armed forces |
| Battles/wars | |
Idi Amin Dada (/ˈiːdi ɑːˈmiːn/; c. 1923–28 – 16 August 2003) was the third president of Uganda, ruling from 1971 to 1979. Amin in 1946 joined the King's African Rifles, a British colonial regiment, serving in Kenya and Uganda. Eventually, Amin held the rank of major general in the post-colonial Uganda People's Defense Force and became its commander before seizing power in the military coup of January 1971 that deposed Milton Obote. While he was head of state, he promoted himself to field marshal.
Amin's rule was characterized by human rights abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings, nepotism, corruption, and gross economic mismanagement. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is estimated by international observers and human rights groups to range from 100,000 to 500,000.
During his years in power, Amin shifted from being a pro-western ruler enjoying considerable Israeli support to being backed by Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko, the Soviet Union, and East Germany. In 1975, Amin became the chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), a Pan-Africanist group designed to promote solidarity among African states. During the 1977–1979 period, Uganda was a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Amin did, however, have the support of the US Central Intelligence Agency, which helped deliver bombs and other military equipment to Amin's army and took part in military operations with Amin's forces in Uganda. In 1977, when Britain broke diplomatic relations with Uganda, Amin declared he had defeated the British and added "CBE", for "Conqueror of the British Empire", to his title. Radio Uganda then announced his entire title: "His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Alhaji Dr. Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE".
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