Uganda under Idi Amin
| Military Dictatorship of Uganda (Amin Regime) |
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| Udikteta wa Kijeshi wa Uganda | ||||||||||
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| Capital | Kampala | |||||||||
| Languages | English, Swahili | |||||||||
| Religion | Christianity, Islam | |||||||||
| Government | Military dictatorship | |||||||||
| President | ||||||||||
| • | 1971–1979 | Idi Amin | ||||||||
| History | ||||||||||
| • | Established | 25 January 1971 | ||||||||
| • | Uganda–Tanzania War | 30 October 1978 | ||||||||
| • | Disestablished | 11 April 1979 | ||||||||
| Currency | Ugandan shilling | |||||||||
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| Today part of |
 Uganda
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The history of Uganda between 1971 and 1979 comprises the history of Uganda during Idi Amin's military dictatorship over Uganda.
The Ugandan economy was devastated by Idi Amin's policies, including the expulsion of Asians, the nationalisation of businesses and industry, and the expansion of the public sector. The real value of salaries and wages collapsed by 90% in less than a decade. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is unknown; estimates from international observers and human rights groups range from 100,000 to 500,000.
From Uganda's independence from Great Britain in 1962 to early 1971, Milton Obote's regime had terrorized, harassed, and tortured people. Frequent food shortages had sent prices through the ceiling. Obote's persecution of Indian traders had contributed to this. During Obote's regime, flagrant and widespread corruption had emerged. The regime was disliked, particularly in Buganda where people had suffered the most.
By January 1971, Milton Obote, then President of Uganda, was prepared to rid himself of the potential threat posed by Idi Amin. Departing for the 1971 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Singapore, he relayed orders to loyal Langi officers that Amin and his supporters in the army were to be arrested. Various versions emerged of the way this news was leaked to Amin. Also, the role of the foreign powers in the coup had been debated until recently. Documents declassified by the British Foreign Office reveal that, contrary to earlier speculations, it was not directly facilitated by Great Britain but benefited from covert support by Israel which saw Idi Amin as an agent to de-stabilise Islamic Sudan. The documents however unveil an outrightly positive assessment of Amin's personality by the British authorities as well as recommendations of support and the sale of arms to the new regime.
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Wikipedia