Idi Amin Dada (/ˈiːdi ɑːˈmiːn/; c. 1925 – 16 August 2003) was the third President of Uganda, ruling from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946, serving in Kenya and Uganda. Eventually, Amin held the rank of major general in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its commander before seizing power in the military coup of January 1971, deposing Milton Obote. He later promoted himself to field marshal while he was the head of state.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 in allegiance from being a pro-Western ruler enjoying considerable Israeli support to being backed by Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, 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 of the African states. During the 1977–1979 period, Uganda was a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. 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".Dissent within Uganda and Amin's attempt to annex the Kagera province of Tanzania in 1978 led to the Uganda–Tanzania War and the demise of his eight-year regime, leading Amin to flee into exile to Libya and Saudi Arabia, where he lived until his death on 16 August 2003.
Sometimes people mistake the way I talk for what I am thinking.
2
In any country there must be people who have to die. They are the sacrifices any nation has to make to achieve law and order.
3
I am the hero of Africa.
#
Fact
1
Trained by the British army.
2
Self-declared title: His Excellency President for Life Field Marshal Al Hadji Dr. Idi Amin, VC, DSO, MC, King of Scotland Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular
3
Was believed to have up to 50 children and five wives, two of whom he personally killed. According to aides, he would place the body of one of his murdered wives on a chair at the dinner table while he dined with his children, telling them that this is what happened when "bad mommy" disobeyed him.
4
Human rights groups say from 100,000 to 500,000 people were murdered during Amin's eight-year rule.
5
In 1972, he expelled 50,000 Asians, whose ancestors had come to Uganda as laborers for the British and became the country's premier traders and businessmen, saying God had told him to transform Uganda into "a black man's country." He gave the Asians' homes and businesses to favored military officers in an effort to insure their loyalty. Deprived of its business class, the East African nation plummeted into economic chaos.
6
During his rule, he declared himself King of Scotland, banned hippies and miniskirts, and attended a Saudi royal funeral wearing a kilt.
7
In 1976 the Palestine Liberation Organization hijacked an Air France airliner to Entebbe Airport outside Kampala and held its Israeli passengers hostage. In a stunning military operation, Israeli commandos flew to Uganda, landed unobserved at the far end of Entebbe, and in a coordinated attack rescued the hostages and killed all the hijackers, along with a number of Ugandan troops who were protecting them. Amin claimed he had been trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution, but there was overwhelming evidence that he was in league with the hijackers.
8
Once offered to be King of Scotland, if he was asked.
9
His friendship with King Faisal I of Saudi Arabia helped ease the way for a quiet retirement in that country, and Amin died in a hospital named after the King.
10
Was overweight and suffered from hypertension and fatigue in his later years, leading to his slipping into a coma on July 18, 2003, and his body gave out almost one month later, on August 16, 2003.
11
Amin's son, Haji Ali Kirunda Amin, failed to take the Njeru Town Council (Kampala, Uganda) chairperson's seat in a five-man race. (8 January 2002)
12
When he discovered that president Milton Obote intended to arrest him on charges of misappropriating millions of dollars of military funds, Amin seized power in a coup on 1/25/71 while Obote was out of the country, and had Obote's supporters executed. Amin had been the chief of staff of Uganda's army and air force until 1970.
13
Heavyweight boxing champion of Uganda (1951 - 1960)
14
When the official newspaper wrote about him they had to begin with the following: "His Excellency, Field Marshall, Al-Haji, Dr. Idi Amin Dada, Life President of Uganda, conqueror of the British Empire, distinguished service order of the Military Cross, Victoria Cross and Professor of Geography."
15
Conferred a doctorate of law on himself from Makerere University.
16
In July 1961, Amin became the first Ugandan to become a commissioned officer in the British colonial King's African Rifles.
17
The Saudi government has supported Amin and his family since he fled Uganda on 11 April 1979. In return, the Saudis - who won't talk about their infamous guest - demand silence and no political activity.
18
President and ruthless dictator of Uganda from 1971 to 1979.
19
Was illiterate.
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
General Idi Amin Dada
1974
Documentary
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Biography
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Urgent ou À quoi bon exécuter des projets puisque le projet est en lui-même une jouissance suffisante
1977
Himself (as Idi Amine Dada)
General Idi Amin Dada
1974
Documentary
Himself
Frost on Saturday
1973
TV Series
Himself
The Frost Programme
1973
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Seventies
2015
TV Series documentary
Himself - President, Uganda
The 70s
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Diamond Queen
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
Weaponology
2008
TV Series documentary
Himself - Ugandan Leader
Endgame: Blueprint for Global Enslavement
2007
Video documentary
Himself
Situation Critical
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself - Ugandan Leader
La tele de tu vida
2007
TV Series
Himself
BBC Four News
2007
TV Series
Himself - President of Uganda 1971-1979
The Last King of Scotland
2006
Himself (uncredited)
Greatest Raids
2003
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself (Episode: The Entebbe Raid)
The Most Evil Men and Women in History
2001
TV Series
Himself
Operation Thunderbolt: Entebbe
2000
TV Movie documentary
Himself (uncredited)
Labour's Last Premier: A Film Portrait of James Callaghan
1992
TV Movie documentary
Himself - President of Uganda (as General Idi Amin)
Memories of 1970-1991
1991
TV Series documentary
Himself
World in Action
1971-1981
TV Series documentary
Himself
Aikamme uskomuksia - ei ainoastaan leivästä
1973
TV Movie
Himself, president of Uganda
Known for movies
General Idi Amin Dada (1974) as Composer
Urgent ou À quoi bon exécuter des projets puisque le projet est en lui-même une jouissance suffisante (1977) as Himself
$1.5 Million
