Idi Amin
Ugandan military officer and dictator who ruled from 1971 until his overthrow in 1979.
Chronology: 1925 – 2003-08-16
Origins & Early Life
Awon'go Idi Amin Dada Oumee (30 May 1928 – 16 August 2003) was a Ugandan military officer and dictator who served as the third president of Uganda from 1971 until his overthrow in 1979. He gained power after the 1971 Ugandan coup d'état. International observers and human rights groups estimate that between 100,000 and 500,000 people were killed under his regime. Amin was born to a Kakwa father and Lugbara mother.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
In 1946, he joined the King's African Rifles, part of the British Colonial Army, as a cook. He rose to the rank of lieutenant, taking part in British actions against Somali rebels and then the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya. Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, and Amin remained in the army, rising to the position of deputy army commander in 1964 and being appointed commander two years later. He became aware that Ugandan president Milton Obote was planning to arrest him for misappropriating army funds, so he overthrew Obote in 1971 and declared himself president. During his years in power, Amin shifted from being a pro-Western ruler enjoying considerable support from Israel to being backed by Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko, the Soviet Union...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia