THE UNFORGOTTEN: IDI AMIN DADA

He was the third President of Uganda, ruling from 1971 to 1979. 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. He later promoted himself to Field Marshall while he was the head of state.

Amin's rule was characterized by human right abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extra judicial killings, nepotism, corruption and gross economic mismanagement. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is estimated by international observers to range from 100,000 to 500,000.

Amin became the chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1975. After Britain broke diplomatic ties with Uganda, Amin declared he had defeated the British and added "CBE" for "Conqueror of the British Empire", to his title. His entire title was then announced by Radio Uganda as "his Excellency President for Life, Field Marshall Alhaji Dr. Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE".




Amin's attempt to annex the Kagera province of Tanzania in 1978, lead to the Uganda-Tanzania war and the demise to his eight-year regime. He fled into exile to Libya and Saudi Arabia where he lived until his death on August 16, 2003.