Amin Seizes Power in Uganda

Date: January 25, 1971 • Location: Rome, Italy

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1971–1979.

Idi Amin seized power from Ugandan president Milton Obote in a coup d'état, beginning eight years of military rule.

Awon'go Idi Amin Dada Oumee was a Ugandan military officer and dictator who served as the third president of Uganda from 1971 until his overthrow in 1979. He gained power after the 1971 Ugandan coup d'état and subsequently ruled the country under a regime characterized by rampant human rights abuses, economic mismanagement and corruption. International observers and human rights groups estimate that between 100,000 and 500,000 people were killed under his regime.