Genocide in Uganda

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Wesney 1st Block April 12, 2013 Ugandan Genocide Although it is not as notorious as the massive genocide that occurred at the hands of Hitler in the early to mid-1900’s, the genocide that took place in Uganda was a genocide all the same and should not be overlooked. The man responsible for the killings was Idi Amin Dada, the third “president” of Uganda, though he ruled like a dictator and killed anyone he saw as a threat to his power. Idi Amin Dada was born in 1925 near the village of Koboko, in the Republic of Uganda and in 1946, at the age of 21, joined the King’s African Rifles (KAR). Idi Amin served in many countries such as Burma, Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda and was considered a highly skillful and cruel soldier. He was also known for using extreme brutality during interrogations and held the Ugandan light heavyweight boxing championship title for nine years, from 1951 to 1960. When Uganda was on the brink of gaining independence, a close friend of Idi Amin, Apolo Milton Obote, who was the leader of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) was promoted to chief minister and eventually prime minister. Idi Amin was promoted to General and Chief of Staff, when Obote declared himself president, and Idi Amin stormed the Royal Palace, forcing the current president, Edward Mutebi Mutessa II (also known as “King Freddie”), into exile in Britain (Boddy-Evans). Idi Amin began to gain power within the military and eventually created ties with Israeli rebels and Britain. When Obote found out, he tried to place Idi Amin under house arrest, but, when he failed, he demoted Idi Amin to a less significant rank. Soon after, when Obote was attending a meeting in Singapore, Idi Amin led a “coup d’état” (essentially a rebellion) and declared himself president. He also granted himself quite an extravagant title: “His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshall Al Hadji

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