Idi Amin… IMDb
Idi Amin
Idi Amin was the president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979.
Before becoming president, Amin was a member of the King’s African Rifles, a subset of the British Colonial Army.
In 1971, Amin overthrew the regime of the second president of Uganda, Milton Obote.
During his administration, the Ugandan political climate was marred by corruption, persecution, violence, killings, a failing economy and misuse of government funds.
Amin, described as having an erratic temperament, displayed this behavior by bestowing several titles upon himself – without merit.
In 1971 after overthrowing the previous government, Amin gave himself the titles of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army Chief of Staff and Chief of Air Staff. In 1977 after the British severed ties with Uganda, Amin declared that he had defeated the British and awarded himself the title of Conqueror of the British Empire (CBE).
He presented a doctorate of law degree on himself awarded from Makerere University as well as a fabricated Victorious cross made to copy the British Victorious Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross.
His official title was: “His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.”
Amin also considered himself the uncrowned King of Scotland.
