Faces Of Africa - Idi Amin: Famous For the Wrong Reasons

Some viewed him as an instantly relatable man of the people. Others believe he is the truest embodiment of evil. A thoughtful portrait of a multi-faceted monster, Idi Amin: Famous for the Wrong Reasons peels back the layers of this controversial Ugandan leader with insights from those who knew him best.

When Amin seized power following a military coup in 1971, the people of Uganda were euphoric for the possibility of change. In the earliest days of his regime, his flamboyance and spontaneity were interpreted by many to represent a charming connection to the common man. He was often shown mixing and conversing with the people, and his lack of formal education made him appear more accessible and less elitist than most world leaders were presumed to be.

According to several insiders to the Amin regime who are interviewed in the film, those same qualities made him singularly unfit to serve as president. Little could he understand the delicacies and nuances of global politics, and these intellectual shortcomings inspired his most aggressive impulses. "The more he felt insecure, the more ruthless he became," one interview subject explains.

The remnants of that ruthlessness can still be felt nearly 40 years after his reign. We visit the torture chambers where members of his opposition were brutally slain. We hear stories of bodies being dumped into the Nile River by the truckload. We learn of Amin's belief in witchcraft, and his casual thirst for human blood. By the end of his eight-year rule, it is estimated that he took the lives of close to 300,000 citizens.

Others in the film - including Amin's own children - speak admirably of the leader's tenacity in the face of great struggle. We're told of his early rise through the ranks of the Colonial British Army, his nine-year stint as a light heavyweight boxing champion, and the voracious appetite for women that lead him to take five wives and father over 40 children. Acts that others view as barbaric, such as Amin's Asian population ban which effectively crippled the economy of Uganda at the time, is now viewed by some as an embracing of new African entrepreneurship.

Thoughtfully produced by CCTV Africa, Idi Amin: Famous for the Wrong Reasons reminds us that the most notorious figures in world history are often among the most complex.

In the 20th century Idi Amin Dada became the most famous political figurefor all the wrong reasons. In 1971 he seized power from the then president of Uganda Milton Obote while he was away. The two men had once been allies but were now great enemies. At the time of the military coup Amin was in hismid-40s and the head of the army. The 6’4 ft. tall Amin was born in northern Uganda in 1925, he barely went to school.  He grew up with almost nothing and he struggled to survive. He was raised up by his mother. She was a very tough big bodied woman just like he was. Like many poor Ugandan boys seeking an escape from poverty, Idi Amin got a job with the British colonial army as a cook.

Idi Amin Dada, former president of Uganda. He loved playing music.

In the 1940s the colonial army was looking for more people and Amin got a chance to join the army. He excelled in the military. They kept promoting him due to his dedication to the job. It was while in the army that the athletic Amin enjoyed his first taste of fame. He was Uganda’s light heavyweight boxing champion for over 9 years and remained a keen swimmer throughout his life. But when he took over the presidency he turned out monstrous and dictatorial. In 1972 a self-proclaimed nationalist, Amin,unveiled plans for an economic war on what he called the domination of Uganda by foreigners. Amin ordered over 80, 000 Asians living in Uganda to leave the country. They were given 90 days to leave and to only take with them what they could carry. This was a great mistake as Professor Maggie Kigozi a Ugandan entrepreneur tells.

“There are people who believe he did us a favour.  Business was now open for Ugandans to take over. But they were not really ready for it at that point in time.  We were not business people,” she says.

The population of Asians was small but they contributed two thirds of the national Ugandan economy then. Industries came to a halt, all the social services disintegrated, schools and so did the hospitals. Nothing was left for Uganda. Many attributed his illogical decisions on his lack of education and lack of consultation. This led to his agitation and whoever questioned his rule did not see the light of day, they were killed. In his 8 year rule, about 300,000 people were killed. But his children only knew of a caring father.

Amin holding a gun. During the colonial times Idi Amin was deployed into the army. Though he had no education, he rose into the military ranks from just a mere cook due to his dedication.

“It was fun with my dad all the time. He was a very down to earth person who wanted to make sure that we are not spoilt kids. In school he made sure we were treated just the same as all the other kids,” recalls Hussein Juruga, Idi Amin’s son. His reign was internationally known to be bloody and his behaviour considered animal like and insane. But in Uganda people feared him. 

“Do we see him as a monster? Yes, up to a point he was monstrous. He was very, very frightening to be near,” recalls Dr. Vali Jamal, Ugandan Asian.

He wasted no chance to mock the country’s former colonial master, Britain. He once arranged one of his publicity stunts. He got a group of British businessmen in Uganda to carry him shoulder high and declare him the conqueror of the British Empire. This dehumanizing nature made many believe he was insane.

Meanwhile Milton Obote had sought refuge in Tanzania and was preparing his army to attack Kampala and overthrow Amin. He knew the secret, that Amin due to lack of cohesion with his people and lack of education was just a scary person through talking but army wise he had not assembled a strong army. 

Hence in April 1979 Amin was overthrown. He sought refuge in Saudi Arabia where he lived till his death in August 16, 2003 at the age of 78. In Ugandan nothing has been named after Idi Amin.

Idi posing akimbo. He had a great appetite for women and jewels attached to fake titles.

Idi Amin and Muamar Gaddafi former president of Libya. Amin died in 2003 while in exile in Saudi Arabia. Gaddafi died in 2011.

Amin carried shoulder high by the British businessmen in Uganda in one of his publicity stunts. He declared himself the conqueror of the British Empire.