Idi Amin quotes

Idi Amin was a Ugandan military officer and politician who served as the President of Uganda in the 1970s. His rule was marked by human rights abuses, political repression, and economic mismanagement. He became infamous as a brutal dictator and one of Africa's most controversial leaders. Here are 22 of his quotes:

You cannot run faster than a bullet.

Idi Amin

I am the hero of Africa.

Idi Amin

Politics is like boxing - you try to knock out your opponents.

Idi Amin

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.

Idi Amin

If we knew the meaning to everything that is happening to us, then there would be no meaning.

Idi Amin

Sometimes people mistake the way I talk for what I am thinking.

Idi Amin

My mission is to lead the country out of a bad situation of corruption, depression and slavery. After I rid the country of these vices, I will then organize and supervise a general election of a genuinely democratic civilian government.

Idi Amin

Although some people felt Adolf Hitler was bad, he was a great man and a real conqueror whose name would never be forgotten.

Idi Amin

Sometimes people mistake the way I talk for what I am thinking. I never had any formal education-not even a nursery school certificate. But sometimes I know more than Ph. D. s because as a military man I know how to act. I am a man of action.

Idi Amin

He is killer and clown, big-hearted buffoon and strutting martinet.

Idi Amin

Racist, erratic and unpredictable, brutal, inept, bellicose, irrational, ridiculous, and militaristic.

Idi Amin

Amin is a splendid man by any standards and is held in great respect and affection by his British colleagues. ... He is tough and fearless and in the judgment of everybody ... completely reliable. Against this he is not very bright and will probably find difficulty in dealing with the administrative side of command.

Idi Amin

I propose getting rid of conventional armaments and replacing them with reasonably priced hydrogen bombs that will be distributed equally throughout the world.

Idi Amin

I myself consider myself the most powerful figure in the world.

Idi Amin

I'm a good Muslim and I'm only interested in Islam.

Idi Amin

I want to be remembered as a great athlete. As a boxing champion.

Idi Amin

Introduction to a Discovery Channel documentary about Idi Amin.

Idi Amin

It's not for me. I tried human flesh and it's too salty for my taste.

Idi Amin

Dictators have also been overthrown by foreign invaders working in concert with local rebel armies. Idi Amin of Uganda was as disturbingly clever as dictators go. He once wore a kilt to a royal funeral in Saudi Arabia and he is alleged to have sent President Richard Nixon a "Get Well Soon" card after the Watergate scandal broke. He was also a horrifyingly brutal tyrant. In October 1978 Amin invaded the neighboring country of Tanzania. The Tanzanian army joined forces with Ugandan rebels and, in April 1979, drove Amin out of Uganda and replaced him with the equally dictatorial Milton Obote. Yoweri Moseveni has ruled the country since 1986. To describe Uganda in the twenty-first century as a "shaky democracy" would be polite.

Idi Amin