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Idi Amin Research Paper

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Idi Amin Research Paper
The African Nation of Uganda has had a short history, but nonetheless, an eventful one. Since independence, this country known as the “Pearl of Africa” and its people have been terrorised by corrupt, military-based leaders and dictatorships. Idi Amin is one of the most memorable leaders post independence, memorable mostly however for his brutal methods and massive violation of human rights. Idi Amin's power and influence significantly disadvantaged Uganda during his time in office through his brutality and racial genocides. This essay will cover Uganda's history prior to Idi Amin, his contribution to mass genocides from 1971 to 1979, the effect this had socially, politically and economically and arguments as to whether he advantaged or disadvantaged …show more content…
This was Amin's motivation for war. Some believe that like Obote, Amin shared the belief that it was important to address the social inequality that prevailed in the country by economically empowering Ugandans. The Asian population at the time had more control over the economy than Idi Amin liked. They had control through artisans, shopkeepers, industrialists, and other professionals. They also controlled a lot of the local and international trade, which lead to their expulsion. In addition, the entrepreneurial Indian minority were also forcibly removed from Uganda for similar reasons. Tribal groups were also oppressed by Amin. A man filled with paranoia, he murdered, tortured, forcibly removed or sent into exile anyone or any group he suspected of imperialism. It is also believed he was racially motivated in these exiles and killings. Idi Amin's regime caused much violence and bloodshed. People were imprisoned with out trial, some were brutally murdered or tortured at the first hint of non-alliance. His brutal reputation in a sense “rubbed off” on the rest of Uganda. During a Tanzanian-lead war to remove Amin from presidency, any group or person suspected of supporting Amin were killed by the Tanzanians. Amin also had strong links to the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organisation) and was suspected of being behind their hijack of the Air France A-300B Airbus from Athens in 1967. It was rumoured he offered the recently abandoned Israeli embassy to them as their own potential

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