Idi Amin Research Paper
Idi Amin “Last King of Scotland”
Idi Amin was a dictator of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Uganda is a small nation located in east Africa. Unlike the stereotypes surrounding Africa’s dry terrain, Uganda is relatively green, with a large lake on its southern border. The people of Uganda come from various ethnic background, making it very diverse, dance and religion being a common ground for all the tribes. The most noteable religions are christianity of different forms and Muslim. WIth the diversity comes disputes between tribes and lack of communication with at least 40 different languages in active use. The diversity within the country played a part in Amin gaining power by rallying different groups for support. Milton Obote was the president …show more content…
of Uganda before Amin took power. He was cruel and did anything he could to keep himself in political power. Many resented his rule, to which he sent many generals and armies to defend his power, among those was Amin. Amin and Obote were politically close, and with the resentment against Obote, Amin was able to swoop in and take away his power. Before Obote’s downfall, he began to question Amin’s loyalty and had orders to have him killed, but Amin formed a coup that was able to take Obote down. The people approved the change, seeing as anyone would be better than Obote, but they will soon realize their mistake. Amin did not grow up rich and was only given a small education before joining the King’s African Rifles of the British Colonial Army as a cook.
From there he only rose in station. Making a quick journey through the ranks, he eventually made into the highest rank given to an African in the British army. His intentions may have been pure in his mind, but his path to success and absolute rule distorted this fantasy. Overtime he became more reckless and erotic with his actions. His reign of terror started with “Killer Squads” sent to kill any Obote supporters, he threw many in camps and threatened anyone who fled his country with terror. Other special police forces he had were the State Research Bureau and the Public Safety Unity that eliminated anyone against his rule.
In 1972 he banished those with Asian background, Indian, and Pakistani citizens, crippling the economy of Uganda. Many of his people began to resent his rule and fled to Tanzania, which Amin accused the country of crimes, such as aiding to the unrest in Uganda, to defend his march into the country. In 1978, he ordered an attack, however Tanzania overwhelmed the Ugandan army and took the capital. It is estimated that 300,000 perished during his reign. After this event, Amin fled to Saudi Arabia where he lived out the rest of his days until his death on August 16,
2003.
Idi Amin was a dictator of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Uganda is a small nation located in east Africa. Unlike the stereotypes surrounding Africa’s dry terrain, Uganda is relatively green, with a large lake on its southern border. The people of Uganda come from various ethnic background, making it very diverse, dance and religion being a common ground for all the tribes. The most noteable religions are christianity of different forms and Muslim. WIth the diversity comes disputes between tribes and lack of communication with at least 40 different languages in active use. The diversity within the country played a part in Amin gaining power by rallying different groups for support. Milton Obote was the president …show more content…
of Uganda before Amin took power. He was cruel and did anything he could to keep himself in political power. Many resented his rule, to which he sent many generals and armies to defend his power, among those was Amin. Amin and Obote were politically close, and with the resentment against Obote, Amin was able to swoop in and take away his power. Before Obote’s downfall, he began to question Amin’s loyalty and had orders to have him killed, but Amin formed a coup that was able to take Obote down. The people approved the change, seeing as anyone would be better than Obote, but they will soon realize their mistake. Amin did not grow up rich and was only given a small education before joining the King’s African Rifles of the British Colonial Army as a cook.
From there he only rose in station. Making a quick journey through the ranks, he eventually made into the highest rank given to an African in the British army. His intentions may have been pure in his mind, but his path to success and absolute rule distorted this fantasy. Overtime he became more reckless and erotic with his actions. His reign of terror started with “Killer Squads” sent to kill any Obote supporters, he threw many in camps and threatened anyone who fled his country with terror. Other special police forces he had were the State Research Bureau and the Public Safety Unity that eliminated anyone against his rule.
In 1972 he banished those with Asian background, Indian, and Pakistani citizens, crippling the economy of Uganda. Many of his people began to resent his rule and fled to Tanzania, which Amin accused the country of crimes, such as aiding to the unrest in Uganda, to defend his march into the country. In 1978, he ordered an attack, however Tanzania overwhelmed the Ugandan army and took the capital. It is estimated that 300,000 perished during his reign. After this event, Amin fled to Saudi Arabia where he lived out the rest of his days until his death on August 16,
2003.