Idi Amin Takes Power in Uganda ca. 1971
In January 1971 Idi Amin, chief of the Ugandan army and air force, led a coup against Milton Obote and named himself president of Uganda. Upon seizing power Amin embarked a campaign to execute all of his potential rivals, including two-thirds of the military. A ferocious dictator, Amin was responsible for the deaths of between 100,000 and 300,000 Ugandans during his eight years in power.