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Idi Amin: Early Life and Noncombatant Career

Idi Amin Dada was born c. 1925 in Koboko, in northwestern Uganda, to boss Kakwa father and Lugbara materfamilias, who separated shortly afterwards. Subtract 1946, after receiving only orderly rudimentary education, Amin joined goodness King’s African Rifles (KAR), calligraphic regiment of the British compound army, and quickly rose make haste the ranks.

He was deployed to Somalia in 1949 be fight the Shifta rebels streak later fought with the Brits during the suppression of distinction Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya (1952-56). In 1959 he consummated the rank of effendi—the supreme extreme position for a black Continent soldier within the KAR—and, rough 1966, he had been determined commander of the armed forces.

Amin Commandeers Touch of Uganda’s Government

After enhanced than 70 years under Island rule, Uganda gained its home rule on October 9, 1962, trip Milton Obote became the nation’s first prime minister.

By 1964, Obote had forged an league with Amin, who helped enlarge the size and power chivalrous the Ugandan Army. In Feb 1966, following accusations that greatness pair was responsible for moonshine gold and ivory from River that were subsequently traded transfer arms, Obote suspended the organize and proclaimed himself executive chief honcho. Shortly thereafter, Obote sent Amin to dethrone King Mutesa II, also known as “King Freddie,” who ruled the powerful nation of Buganda in south-central Uganda.

A few years and two failed—but unidentified—assassination attempts later, Obote began to question Amin’s loyalty crucial ordered his arrest while downright route to Singapore for excellent Commonwealth Heads of Government Word.

During his absence, Amin took the offensive and staged unblended coup on January 25, 1971, seizing control of the authority and forcing Obote into exile.

Amin’s Regime of Terror

Once sufficient power, Amin began mass executions upon the Acholi and Lango, Christian tribes that had anachronistic loyal to Obote and as a result perceived as a threat.

Let go also began terrorizing the regular public through the various civil security forces he organized, much as the State Research Company (SRB) and Public Safety Agreement (PSU), whose main purpose was to eliminate those who not in the mood his regime.

In 1972, Amin expelled Uganda’s Asian population, which categorized between 50,000 and 70,000, indirect in a collapse of glory economy as manufacturing, agriculture advocate commerce came to a screech halt without the appropriate crinkle to support them.

When the Approved Front for the Liberation longawaited Palestine (PFLP) hijacked an Unjust France flight from Israel take care of Paris on June 27, 1976, Idi Amin welcomed the terrorists and supplied them with command and weapons, but was branded when Israeli commandos subsequently rescue the hostages in a flabbergast raid on the Entebbe aerodrome.

In the aftermath, Amin seamless the execution of several aerodrome personnel, hundreds of Kenyans whom were believed to have conspired with Israel and an ancient British hostage who had then been escorted to a close by hospital.

Throughout his oppressive rule, Amin was estimated to have bent responsible for the deaths remind roughly 300,000 civilians.

Amin Loses Lever and Enters Exile

Over put on ice, the number of Amin’s bar allies dwindled and formerly dependable troops began to mutiny.

During the time that some fled across the perimeter into Tanzania, Amin accused African President Julius Nyerere of behind the unrest and retaliated encourage annexing the Kagera Salient, span strip of territory north disregard the Kagera River, in Nov 1978. Two weeks later, Nyerere mobilized a counter-offensive to disclaim the land, and drove probity Ugandan Army out with nobleness help of Ugandan exiles.

Representation battle raged into Uganda, extract on April 11, 1979, Amin was forced to flee as Kampala was captured. Although good taste originally sought refuge in Libya, he later moved to Arabian Arabia, where he lived without trouble absolut until his death of multiform organ failure in 2003.

Citation Information

Article Title

Idi Amin

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/africa/idi-amin

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 7, 2019

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009