ABSTRACT
No regime in Africa demonstrated the failings of military rule at their worst as did that of Idi Amin in Uganda. All the shortcomings have thus far considered are manifested in a clearly extreme form. When Amin deposed Obote on 25 January 1971, his coup was welcomed with intense joy in most parts of Uganda. The function of any government, by whatever name, is to protect and enhance the sanctity of human life. But Amin repudiated this fundamental purpose with the most brutal and comprehensive methods that Uganda had ever known. These activities were in three basic areas. In March 1971, Amin’s government granted extensive powers of arrest to all the security forces. The practical effect of these powers was widespread repression by the army — and especially by his personal security units — whose personnel stood above the law to which they ruthlessly subjected the nationals they were supposed to protect.
