February 2 - Idi Amin Becomes President of Uganda

This Day in History: 2 February 2020

 

2 February 1971

 

49 years ago, today, Idi Amin took power in Uganda, declaring himself as President and chief of the armed forces, just one week after the toppled regime of Milton Obote. Amin had been head of the Ugandan army and air force since 1966, and he seized power while Obote was out of the country. However, it was soon revealed under his direct rule that Amin was an extreme nationalist and tyrant, and the next year saw the genocidal program to purge Uganda of its Lango and Acholi ethnic groups. As well as this, he ordered all Asians to leave his country, causing 60,000 Indians and Pakistanis to flee, putting Uganda in an economic crisis. As Amin himself was a Muslim, he increased Uganda's friendly relations with Israel, and wanted closer ties with Libya and Palestine. He made himself president for life in 1976 and continued to oppress ethnic groups and political opponents.

 

Two years later, Amin initiated the invasion of Tanzania, but a year later, Tanzania fought back with a successful counteroffensive with the help of armed Ugandan exiles. This caused Amin and his government to flee the country, and Obote returned from exile to reassume presidency. Amin then received asylum from Saudi Arabia and is believed to be responsible for the deaths of up to 300,000 Ugandans. He later died in Saudi Arabia, on August 16, 2003.

 

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