Idi Amin is considered to be one of the most brutal and notorious dictators that post-independence Africa has had. He came to be known as the Butcher of Uganda for the despotic and brutal policies that he followed while he was the President of Uganda during the 1970s. Amin usurped power in 1971 in a military coup and ruled over Uganda for about eight years. It is estimated that he imprisoned, tortured, or killed about 500000 people. He was overthrown by Ugandan nationalists in 1979 after which he fled, first to Libya and then to live in exile in Saudi Arabia for the rest of his life. The legacy of Idi Amin teaches modern society precious lessons to make use of. Amin competes with the most atrocious dictators across the world because of the sadistic and paranoid nature he exhibited in pursuing his policies with the help of a corrupt establishment that ultimately brought the country on its knees. Before Amin usurped power, Uganda was a promising country which he eventually transformed into a poor and miserable nation. Idi Amin is believed to have been born in 1925 in Koboko which is located in the Western Nile province of Uganda. He was brought up by his mother after his father deserted them. Not much is known about Idi Amin’s childhood except that he did not receive any formal education. In 1946 he enrolled with the King’s African Rifles (KAR) and was required to serve in Kenya, Somalia, Burma, and Uganda. He was regarded as an overeager and skilled soldier but also became known for his cruelty for which he was always sought after by his superiors as an ace interrogator. He quickly rose through the ranks in reaching the rank of Sergeant Major after which he became an “effendi”, which was the highest possible rank conferred on a black soldier by the British army. Amin was a distinguished sportsman and held the country’s title of heavy weight boxing champion continuously from 1951 to 1960. As circumstances became favorable for the independence of Uganda, Amin’s colleague Apolo Milton Obote, in being the leader of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) became Chief Minister and later the Prime Minister of Uganda. Amin was appointed as First Lieutenant of the country’s army. While on a mission to curb the stealing of cattle he inflicted severe atrocities and the British demanded that he be put on trial. However, Obote ignored the demand and instead sent him to the UK for Military training (Thomas Huber, 2009). Upon returning to Uganda in 1964, he was made Major and was entrusted to deal with the army which showed signs of mutiny. Very soon, in being a willing soldier for the state, his successes enabled him to rise to the rank of Colonel. In having allegedly colluded with Obote in a deal that entailed smuggling of ivory, coffee, and gold out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Amin became closer to him and was promoted to the rank of General and Chief of Staff. At the same time, Obote got the smell of a conspiracy against his rule and crushed the opposition by having five ministers arrested, suspended the constitution, and assumed the title of President. In 1966, at the instance of Obote, Idi Amin attacked the palace of King Freddie of Congo who had to flee to Britain in seeking refuge from the tyranny of the Ugandan army. Idi Amin consolidated his position in the army by using the money he got from smuggling activities and from su