IDI AMIN, FORMER BRUTAL RULER OF UGANDA.

Idi Amin ruled Uganda as a military dictator from 25 January 1971 to 11 April 1979. He was the third President of Uganda. He was leightnent in the British army and became the self made Field Marshal of Uganda. He entered into power by a military coup and after eight years he was over thrown. During his regime he eliminated his political opponents and their ethenic groups, resulting in the death of one to three/five lakhs people by brutal killing. Amin was 6.ft 4 in' tall and a well built one. He was heavy weight boxing champion, a swimmer and a rugby forward.

Idi Amin was born on 30 May 1928 in Kampala, Uganda. He had 43 children from about  six wives. Soon after he took charge he removed over 50,000.Asians - Ugandans from the country and that severely crippled the economy of the country. He maintained a secret police force and death squads to create horror among the people. With no reluctance he killed religious leaders, journalists and judges. He killed the Anglican Archbishop Janani Luwum for he had spoken about Amin's violent policies. While sending out about fifty thousand fairly rich people belonging to the business community he captured all their domestic properties, trading goods etc and distributed among Idi Amin's friends. This cruel, foolish and ill-advised action in fact severely paralyzed the country 's economy.

 

Idi Amin was forcefully removed from power on April 11, 1979 by a combined force of Tanzanian military and the rebels from Uganda in the capital city of Kampala. This made Amin fled away to Libya and later settled in Saudi Arabia..He remained there until he died in August 2003.

K V George