The question of whether former President Idi Amin Dada can be a subject of intellectual or academic study has sparked controversy in Uganda. This debate intensified after President Yoweri Museveni suggested that Amin should be forgotten.
Plans for an Amin memorial lecture, the first of its kind, were thwarted in September as it lacked approval from the education ministry. Amin, who seized power in 1971 and ruled until his ousting in 1979, died in Saudi Arabia in 2003, with his passing receiving little acknowledgment in Uganda. Museveni dismisses Amin, and there are no monuments or streets named after him in the capital, Kampala.
Efforts to memorialize Amin have faced resistance, led by a former lawmaker who claims Amin was defamed by international reporters and deserves a more balanced assessment. He highlights Amin’s commitment to local industry and African solidarity.
Amin’s supporters argue that the memorial should focus on positive aspects. However, President Museveni rejected the idea of an Idi Amin Memorial Institute, asserting that Amin’s rule was “clearly illegal,” and suggested that Ugandans should forget that history.
This rejection has ignited a counter-response from Ugandans who draw parallels between Amin and Museveni. Critics highlight similarities, such as both leaders seizing power by force and relying heavily on military authority.
Museveni’s critics cite corruption, abuse of public resources, police brutality, and limited space for government opponents, arguing that Museveni lacks moral authority to judge Amin. The debate has stirred strong reactions, with opposition figures contending that Museveni, in power since 1986, has not outperformed Amin.
In response to criticism, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo stated that an Amin memorial may glorify him but cannot undo his terrible deeds documented during his rule. Critics argue that the proposed institute is an attempt to whitewash Amin’s legacy.
Supporters and some academics acknowledge Amin’s role in acquiring or maintaining national assets and nurturing local talent in music and sports. They argue that Amin’s positive contributions should not be overshadowed by his documented crimes, which include widespread human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and the expulsion of tens of thousands of Asians in 1972.
Amin’s legacy remains polarized, reflecting the broader political壯陽藥 divisions in Uganda under Museveni’s rule. While many Ugandans condemn Amin, some see parallels with Museveni’s administration, especially concerning issues like forced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, and detention without trial. The proposed Amin institute has become a focal point in the larger debate on how Ugandans view their political history.