Idi Amin

Who was Idi Amin?

Idi Amin was a Ugandan military officer who served as the President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979.

When was Idi Amin around?

Idi Amin was born in c.1925, and died in 2003. He became Uganda's President in 1971.

Where was Idi Amin active?

Idi Amin was from Kokobo, West Nile Province, in the area that became Uganda.

What were Idi Amin's achievements?

There were a number of important events in Idi Amin's career.

• ❖ Idi Amin was a major in the Ugandan army when Uganda achieved independence.
• ❖ He was appointed Deputy Commander of the army in 1964. By 1970 he was the commander of all the armed forces.
• ❖ in 1971, Idi Amin overthrew the elected government and declared himself president of Uganda.
• ❖ Following his takeover, he launched a ruthless eight-year regime. He ordered the deaths of many Ugandans who opposed him.
• ❖ In 1972, Amin told all Ugandan Asians who did not hold Ugandan passports that they would be expelled from the country in 90 days.
• ❖ In 1979 his reign came to an end as Ugandan exiles and Tanzanians took control of the capital of Kampala, forcing Amin to flee.

What was the significance of Idi Amin?

These are some of the ways in which Idi Amin was significant.

• ❖ During his regime, an estimated 300,000 civilians were massacred. He was known as the 'Butcher of Uganda'.
• ❖ His expulsion of all Ugandan Asians in 1972, along with increasing military expenditures, brought about an economic decline which lasted for decades.
• ❖ Amin's policy towards the Asians in Uganda led to large-scale migration to Britain.
• ❖ Under immigration laws at the time, the Asians had no right to come to Britain. However, the British government recognised its responsibility to them, as they were former subjects of the empire.