Life of Idi Amin
Idi Amin was a soldier first and foremost. He imposed a scheduled and militaristic way of life on his followers. His own military record paints the picture of his rise to power. During British colonization of Uganda Idi Amin began his endeavor into the military. It was in 1946 that Amin enlisted in the King’s African Rifle’s, KAR, the British army in colonized Africa. (Boddy-Evans)
Upon his entry he was placed as assistant cook, a far from glorious position. However he managed to rise through the ranks. He became a Corporal in 1948 and was stationed in Burma, Somalia, and Kenya. This was during the British situation in Kenya that was referred to as the Mau Mau revolt. The Mau Mau gunmen were a secret society of rebels which aimed to over throw the British rule in Africa, and they spared no bloodshed in this attempt. Sadly the blood spilled was mostly of their own African countrymen. According to Times Magazine, “…only 32 Europeans died, while almost 2,000 Kikuyu loyal to the British crown were murdered before the colonial government regained control.”( Idi Amin Killer File)
Amin’s efforts through this time were recognized and upon his return in 1958 he was awarded the rank of sergeant-major and platoon commander. In 1959 he is appointed as an Effendi, this rank is given to noncommissioned Africans with leadership potential. It was basically a desk job that bred future leaders. Just 2 years later he was named Lieutenant. He was one of two Ugandans that were officially commissioned during the British rule. (Boddy-Evans)
His military prowesses grew to the point that he dared storm the royal palace and overthrow the King appointed by Britain in order to put his party into power, he succeeded. His partner Obote was set as President while Amin was left in charge of the army. Afterwards he overthrew his partner and exiled him form the country. His rise to President for life was made possible by his military ways. (Boddy-Evans) Uganda has long been a country of
Upon his entry he was placed as assistant cook, a far from glorious position. However he managed to rise through the ranks. He became a Corporal in 1948 and was stationed in Burma, Somalia, and Kenya. This was during the British situation in Kenya that was referred to as the Mau Mau revolt. The Mau Mau gunmen were a secret society of rebels which aimed to over throw the British rule in Africa, and they spared no bloodshed in this attempt. Sadly the blood spilled was mostly of their own African countrymen. According to Times Magazine, “…only 32 Europeans died, while almost 2,000 Kikuyu loyal to the British crown were murdered before the colonial government regained control.”( Idi Amin Killer File)
Amin’s efforts through this time were recognized and upon his return in 1958 he was awarded the rank of sergeant-major and platoon commander. In 1959 he is appointed as an Effendi, this rank is given to noncommissioned Africans with leadership potential. It was basically a desk job that bred future leaders. Just 2 years later he was named Lieutenant. He was one of two Ugandans that were officially commissioned during the British rule. (Boddy-Evans)
His military prowesses grew to the point that he dared storm the royal palace and overthrow the King appointed by Britain in order to put his party into power, he succeeded. His partner Obote was set as President while Amin was left in charge of the army. Afterwards he overthrew his partner and exiled him form the country. His rise to President for life was made possible by his military ways. (Boddy-Evans) Uganda has long been a country of
Cited: Boddy-Evans, Alistair. "Despotic president of Uganda in the 1970s." The New York Times Company 3 January, 2008