4. Idi Amin
Born in 1924 in Koboko, Uganda, Idi Amin was the son of a Kakwa father and a Lugbara mother. After his parents’ separation, he was raised by his mother, a herbalist and diviner. In 1946, Amin joined the King’s African Rifles of the British colonial army as an assistant cook. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving in British actions against Somali rebels and the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya. In 1966, he was appointed commander of the armed forces. In 1971, Amin seized power in a military coup, declaring himself president of Uganda. His regime was marked by brutal repression, including the expulsion of Asians in 1972, leading to economic collapse. Amin’s rule ended in 1979 when Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles captured Kampala, forcing him into exile in Saudi Arabia, where he died in 2003 (history.com).
