History Extra podcast Idi Amin's willing helpers
Dec 8, 2025
Derek R. Peterson, a historian and professor at the University of Michigan, delves into the complexities of Idi Amin's Uganda. He discusses why ordinary Ugandans supported Amin, highlighting the role of artists and theologians in his regime. The shift from ties with Israel to Gaddafi is explored, along with the economic ramifications of the 1972 expulsion of the Asian community. Peterson also examines the dynamics of social terror under Amin, challenging the common perception of him as merely a tyrant. His insights are drawn from extensive archival research.
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Colonial-Era Kingdoms Shaped Uganda's Power Struggles
- Uganda's 1960s politics were dominated by hereditary kingdoms that constrained central power and shaped loyalties.
- Milton Obote's 1966 assault on Buganda and reliance on the military destabilized civilian authority and empowered Idi Amin.
Amin's Coup Was Pragmatic, Not Ideological
- Idi Amin's 1971 coup was pragmatic opportunism rather than a coherent revolutionary ideology.
- He initially aligned with Israel and the UK before shifting his posture later in the decade.
Foreign Trips Shifted Amin's Alliances
- Amin pivoted after international criticism and ties with Gaddafi toward anti-imperial, Pan-African posturing.
- He expelled Israeli advisors in 1972 as part of that geopolitical reorientation.
