A group of Muslims has organized a special national prayer (dua) for Uganda’s former president, Idi Amin, which will take place on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Masjid Yusuf Bakuuba in Kisaasi, Kampala.
The prayer, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., aims to reflect on Amin's legacy and highlight his contributions to Uganda’s development during his time in office.
Latif Sebaggala, the former Kawempe North Member of Parliament and chairman of the organizing committee, explained that the prayer offers an opportunity to explore "the other side" of Amin.
While Amin is often remembered for the atrocities of his regime, Sebaggala believes that his contributions to the country deserve more recognition.
"This is a chance for people to gain a better understanding of Amin’s role in Uganda’s development across various sectors," Sebaggala said. "He did a lot for this country, but unfortunately, most people only focus on the negative aspects of his presidency. We want to remember him and pray for him."
When asked why the event is taking place now, years after Amin's death, Sebaggala emphasized that everything has a starting point. "We hope this marks the beginning of remembering him," he stated, highlighting the importance of not letting Ugandans forget Amin’s contributions to the nation.
The event, open to the public, seeks to unite people from all walks of life in reflecting on Amin's impact. Sebaggala further clarified that no formal permission was required from the police for the event, noting,
"Praying for someone doesn’t require permission. It’s like praying for a family member."
While the Kampala Metropolitan Police had not been informed of the event, Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire mentioned they would inquire further about the gathering.
Idi Amin, Uganda’s third president from 1971 to 1979, is primarily remembered for human rights violations, the expulsion of Asians, and the economic collapse during his regime. However, some argue that his tenure also saw significant infrastructure developments, including the expansion of Uganda Railway, Uganda Airlines, road networks, and the establishment of embassies abroad.
Amin was born in the mid-1920s in Koboko, West Nile, to a Kakwa father, and his commanding personality was evident from a young age.
Despite his contributions, Amin's regime has been widely criticized by figures like President Museveni, who has often condemned his actions.
In 2023, President Museveni rejected a request to establish an institution in Amin’s memory, citing his regime as illegal and unconstitutional.
Museveni also criticized Amin for numerous atrocities, including the mass killings of Acholi and Lango soldiers and the deaths of prominent figures such as Ben Kiwanuka and Basil Bataringaya.
In 2018, the Uganda Tourism Board proposed the idea of creating a war museum to showcase Uganda’s darkest historical moments, including the atrocities committed under Amin and by the Lord's Resistance Army. However, the initiative never came to fruition.
Some politicians and analysts, however, argued that Amin's positive contributions to Uganda should also be remembered, just as Museveni’s presidency will be evaluated for both its achievements and shortcomings. These figures pointed out that some of the issues for which Amin is criticized also occurred during Museveni’s time in office.
Though Amin's rule lacked a functioning parliament and judiciary, and was deemed unconstitutional by many, some Ugandans continue to acknowledge his role in shaping the nation’s infrastructure. This upcoming prayer serves as a reminder that historical perspectives on leaders like Amin are complex and multifaceted.
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