Idi Amin Becomes The New President Of Uganda Religion Essay

Introduction

The Last King of Scotland, by Kevin MacDonald, is an impressive and powerful movie, portraying the president of Uganda, Idi Amin during the 1970s. This movie begins in 1971, with the rise to power of the new president Amin. In another scene, a physician, Nicholas Garrigan, has merely arrived in Uganda. A immature, merely graduated male child comes to the African state to seek new experiences, and an flight from the rigidnesss of his household back in Scotland. He desires to utilize his instruction to assist the Ugandan people, practising free wellness attention in the remote and underprivileged countries of the countryside.

However he is non at that place long before his way alterations class. During one of the president ‘s Tourss, doing addresss to the Ugandan people, Nicolas meets Amin. From this minute, it is clear to the audience that a relationship will develop. Amin has a strong fancy of Scotland, but moreover, he is impressed by the immature spirit and strong motive of Nicolas. Nicolas becomes Amin ‘s personal physician ; nevertheless this intended experience on the portion of Nicolas shortly becomes further from what he could hold imagined. His naivete impels him into the Centre of a political incubus.

The chief characters of “ The Last King of Scotland ” : Idi Amin and Nicholas Garrigan

Idi Amin: Idi Amin becomes the new president of Uganda, wining Apollo Obote. He grew up in the Ugandan countryside, within a hapless community and hard household fortunes. Amin ‘s desire to be the president of Uganda came at an early age, and this aspiration led him to inscribe in the ground forces really immature. Although Amin comes to power through a military putsch, his presidential term, is positively received by the Ugandan people. He enjoys widespread support and many near associates who work along side him. He has a charming personality and ambitious programs for Uganda. In his personal life he has a existent passion for fast autos, beautiful adult females and glamourous parties. He is obsessed with Scotland and declares himself “ The King of Scotland ” and he names his kids ; Mackintosh, McLaren, Campbell and McKenzie.

It is arguable that although Amin ‘s manner of executing were so incorrect, rough and highly barbarous, his purposes may hold been good. However, throughout the movie, the audience becomes progressively cognizant of Amin ‘s violent reign, mistreating human rights, making political repression, cultural persecution, extrajudicial violent deaths, corruptness and economic misdirection.

Idi Amin clearly suffers from psychotic beliefs of his ain magnificence and impressiveness. He believes everything that surrounds him is of monumental importance and of great positive affect to the Ugandan hereafter. Yet in fact Idi Admin ran one of the most hideous reigns of panic. This character gives great chance to measure the strengths and failings of a leader, and the chances given to such a individual to move in such a manner that entirely abuses his place of authorization.

Nicholas Garrigan: He is a Scots physician who has merely graduated from medical school. Nicholas is looking for escapade and experiences that will stretch him. The opening scene of Nicolas sees him whirling the Earth to see where fate will take him. This instantly could demo that he has small self enterprise, but leads his life on escapade ands chance. Garrigan can be seen to play an antihero: he has small bravery and lone concerns about his ain personal safety. He is working for the Ministry of Health through the British Overseas Development Agency. After functioning at a clinic in a little town, he is called to handle Idi Amin who has a auto accident. He so becomes Idi Amin ‘s official physician and subsequently Idi Amin ‘s personal advisor. He is depicted as a immature adult male, capable of accomplishing positives from the place that he finds himself, yet as the movie develops, Garrigan does little to accomplish anything. Besides from the character of Amin, Garrigan can be seen to picture leading manners which are besides deserving analysis. Garrigan clearly fails in his developing relationships, he does little to maintain in contact with household and friends from Scotland, and when state of affairss become excessively hard for him, he simply runs off from the immediate state of affairs.

Other Fictional characters

Kay Amin: The 2nd married woman of Idi Amin and the girl of a reverend. She has an matter with Nicholas Garrigan.

Sara Zach: Is an Israeli doctor who works at the clinic with Nicholas Garrigan. Although she does non hold an matter with physician Garrigan, there are common feelings which are depicted at the beginning of the movie, nevertheless are non developed as Garrigan leaves the countryside to be with Amin. Sara seems deprived of any pleasance to work in the clinic and there are certain state of affairss which allow the audience to inquire the inquiry whether she is truly a physician. Later we discover that she likely is a undercover agent for the Israelis. She is really doubting about the new leader Idi Amin.

Boniface Malumba: A Ugandan pupil. Malumba is friendly and gives Garrigan advice about life in Uganda. Malumba is killed in the combat that breaks out between pro-Obote forces and Amin ‘s ground forces.

President Obote: Apollo Obote was the president of Uganda until 1971, when Amin carried out a military putsch on his authorities. Idi Amin takes the power from Ugandan President Obote on the twenty-four hours Garrigan arrives in Uganda.

Jonas Wasswa: He is Idi Amin ‘s curate of wellness, Jonas Wasswa officially appoints Garrigan to his place as Amin ‘s personal doctor.

Nigel rock: He works at the British Embassy at Kampala. His character is one of contract to the others in the movie. A British functionary, populating in Uganda, is work is to derive critical information about the current state of affairs of Uganda. He clearly helps Garrigan throughout the movie, although this relationship is one of additions. Rock is really cognizant of the stopping point relationship between Amin and Garrigan and wants to work this to fall in the reign of Amin.

The relationships between the characters

Idi Amin and Nicholas Garrigan

Idi Amin and Nicolas Garrigan foremost met when the president becomes injured in a auto incident. By taking the state of affairs under control, Garrigan impresses Amin, who rapidly offers him to go his official doctor in the capital metropolis of Kampala. At the beginning, Garrigan is charmed by Amin ‘s personality and his aspirations for Uganda. His naivete allows him to experience comfy with Amin and believe that to go the president ‘s personal physician will be an exciting and interesting experience. Although it shortly becomes clear that Amin wants, or arguably needs Garrigan for more political concerns. Amin trusts Nicolas, which is enhanced one eventide when Amin believes his is deceasing, but is in fact simply enduring from terrible stomachic hurting. Amin is amazed by Nicolas ‘ endowment as a physician, but besides intrigued by this immature brave British adult male who has come to Uganda. Thus the relationship between the two work forces can be seen as one of common esteem, at least at the start. As clip goes on, Nicholas becomes Amin ‘s personal advisor: he is the dictator ‘s confidante, adviser and right-hand adult male. This relationship allows Nicolas to see Amin in a really different position, as the movie progresses, he witnesses snatchs, inordinate anguish and persecute. As a consequence, Nicolas starts to free his character that we had become familiar with. Amin leading was uncluttering changing, as so was the relationship with Nicolas. As the state of affairss worsen, Nicolas is happening himself in eternal battle for endurance. This impairment is of import to analyse the co-occuring impairment of Amin ‘s leading accomplishments.

Idi Amin and the people of Uganda

The people of Uganda are really aroused about the new president who is purportedly gong to accomplish political, economic and societal freedom. At first, they are all taken in by his personality and his aspirations but as the societal and political clime begins to deteriorate, the true character of Amin begins to emerge. His horrific government destroyed the Ugandan people, and he killed more than 25,000 people during an 8-year period. This is a really of import point that will be discussed through the study on his regulation as a leader and they ways in which he abused his place as such a leader.

Idi Amin and Kay Amin

Amin is a polygamist who had five married womans. This immediately shows a adult male of haughtiness, ignorance and jingoism. He clearly exploits his of import function as the leader of a state to personal addition with the geting of several married womans which he can utilize at his disposal. The manager decides to concentrate chiefly on one these married womans: Kay Amin. She is the female parent of two of Idi ‘s kids and lives individually from her hubby in a house given to her by Amin. One of the kids has terrible epilepsy. It seems the manager has deliberately features this as a manner in which to expose Amin ‘s behaviour towards his household members, even those with terrible unwellnesss that he could hold the power to well cut down. Yet Amin prefers to reject a individual that should be socially friendless and orders that the female parent and boy remain within the evidences of the house. The relationship between Amin and his household high spots his stiff character as a leader and his finding to exhibit a place of authorization without failing.

Furthermore, at the terminal of the movie, the slaying of Kay Amin by functionaries due to her matter with Nicolas, reiterates this thought that Amin ‘s intervention to household members mirrored that of his reign over Uganda, unable to divide between private and public leading.

Nicholas and Kay Amin

Nicholas and Kay foremost work forces when one of her male childs becomes ill. Nicholas wants to convey the kid to the infirmary to hold proper medical attention, nevertheless Kay garbages due to the fright of her hubby who has ordered that she stays within the place evidences. This relationship of fright and control of Amin over Kay is typical of the leading of autocratic leaders. Those under this leading are excessively frightened to talk out and to move against such control.

Throughout the movie, Nicolas and Kay develop a close sexual relationship. Nicolas helps Kay to guarantee her boy has the best medical attention, without the cognition of Amin. Yet their matter is one of great danger. This relationship is complicated farther when Kay becomes pregnant by Nicolas. She begs Nicholas for aid and to execute an abortion, enormously cognizant of the reverberations should Amin happen out. At first, Nicolas refuses, as he himself, even though he is in a place that holds a strong relationship with Amin and has great influence over the leader, he is scared of Idi ‘s reaction which would really perchance affect slaying. This is linked to the exchange theory theoretical account which will be discussed subsequently. Amin portions a relationship with Nicolas that is unevenly leaden and one of fright and control. Nicolas eventually accepts to transport out the abortion, nevertheless finds Kay is already dead. She has been disturbingly mutilated by Amin ‘s functionaries. This farther item of mutilation is a really clear word picture of the indurate brutal and degage character of Amin that is now emerging.

Trouble to judge the leading of a dictator

How to measure the leading of a dictator who killed 1000s of people, yet non be subjective?

It is hard to hold a clear vision of Amin since his reign has been greatly taught through school text editions, in categories, or historical articles as one of the great bravos of history. It is complex to measure the value of Amin as a leader without personal feelings and moral scruples impacting opinion. It is clear Amin was a leader of great ferociousness, barbarous in his control and ruthless in his methods. However the leading manners of a leading must be assessed beyond this immediate position, and an scrutiny must be made on why a leader may act this manner, and the factors that can play a function. It must be remembered, that regardless of the consequences of Amin ‘s leading, there are grounds as to why he acted in this manner and the behavior he used were for grounds that he may or may non hold had chose over.

Complexity of Amin ‘s purposes

Amin ‘s initial purposes were possibly to take his people to freedom? Was he an dreamer? Did he truly care about its people or was he simply avid for power and acknowledgment?

There is small uncertainty that Amin was devoted to its state and showed great honor of being Angolan which drove his battle to go the president. His desire to demo how he was proud of supporting its fellow citizens was obvious at the start of the movie, with both powerful addresss and the private behavior of Amin with his functionaries. At least at the beginning, he seems to demo echt involvement of the Ugandan people, and the manager uses a figure of scenes to foreground this apparently echt exhilaration at he patterned advance of his state. However, these dreamer and loyal facets of his personality clearly and rapidly melt, go forthing room for insanity and a really a unpredictable behavior begins to emerge, holding lay waste toing affects on the Ugandan people. It can be argued that Amin was perchance excessively weak for the place that he was in, and excessively easy influenced by the advantages and benefits of being a president of a state. Therefore he failed to properly put to death his function as a leader and transport out the promises he made, simply mistreating his powerful place and working the state ‘s economic financess for his ain personal benefit. He falls at the custodies of corruptness, and shows increasing insanity, possibly due to guilt, but more likely due to losing of power. He drive becomes motivated by money and control and he fright of misgiving simply exacerbates the job.

Complexity of Idi Amin ‘s personality

What are the chief character traits of Idi Amin?

The secret of Amin ‘s personality has ever been cardinal. Indeed, Amin became the caput of the province of Uganda hiding a batch of information to his people. This concealment of his true character can be signal for why the find of his atrociousness was delayed to his followings and the outside universe. His character was smartly able to pull strings the state of affairss, to guarantee that his barbarous reign was non to the full understood by the people of Uganda.

Depicted good throughout the movie, Amin can be argued to hold had a curious personality yet a exceeding sense of leading. This can be seen as the chief ground for his accomplishment of the Ugandan presidential term. Indeed, through his personal appeal and his ability to do believe people that he was the last hope for their state, he made it clear to the people that entire trueness would win in doing Uganda the state that they all desired. In order to accomplish this support of his followings, Amin claimed that he was one of them. Yet the manager clearly attempted to foreground that contributing with this, Amin was burying his humanity, his true individuality as a Ugandan citizen and ego regard as a adult male. He had become blinded by his desire to do ‘a grade ‘ on history, and to retain his power over ‘his ‘ state.

Role of the follower: Nicholas Garrigan

What is the development of the follower ‘s attitude toward his leader?

The immature physician is shown as an inexperient adult male ( due to his immature age ) , who, at the beginning, saw Amin as a theoretical account and the Jesus of Ugandan ‘s people. The follower is fascinated by the president Amin who does non conceal his sympathy toward him.

The personality and behavior of Nicholas evolves, and the find of Amin ‘s purposes and insanity becomes clear. The two work forces have a composite relationship which builds into a male parent and son-type relationship. This can be seen to further Amin ‘s leading power of Nicholas, who is already controlled by Amin. However the extent to which Amin has control over Nicolas must be carefully assessed. Nicolas has ultimate control of the life of Amin, as his personal doctor, and Nicolas is cognizant of this. Furthermore, Nicolas disrespects the matrimony of Amin to Kay when he begins his matter with the adult female. These facets clearly pose inquiries as to the extend of Amin ‘s power over Nicolas, and the extent to which Nicolas can be genuinely seen as a follower.

However as the movie draws to a stopping point, the audience become cognizant of the disappearing of Nicolas ‘s support for Amin. We know that followings build leaders since there are no leaders without followings. In The Last King of Scotland, the immature physician supported Amin ‘s position of leader by following him with his credence to populate at the official abode near Amin, and subsequently to go his chief counselor. In the film, Nicholas is clearly shown as portion of Amin ‘s leading. But at the terminal of the movie, Nicholas ‘ feeling of guilt become obvious, as he realised through naivete and selfishness, he was an active follower and supported the actions of this leader.

The Role of leading: with mention to leading theoretical accounts

( in peculiar concentration on the function of a developing crisis state of affairs )

Throughout the old ages, many faculty members have attempted to place and analyse the function of leading, and to detect whether these leaders were born with alone features or if the state of affairss in which they find themselves, and the followings they have, play the cardinal function in the development of their leading.

A figure of research documents can be found, which discuss these different theoretical accounts, including Emily Spencer ‘s ‘Leadership Models and Theories: A Brief Overview ‘ . Assorted leading theoretical accounts have been laid out and discussed throughout this paper, and give chance to analyse the function of Amin as the Ugandan leader with mention to these theoretical accounts.

In the early old ages of leading research, it was believed that leaders possessed accomplishments, innate accomplishments that could non be attained through empirical observation. Known as the Trait Theory, these theoreticians assumed people were born with such traits as intelligence, assurance, finding, unity and sociableness, and it was these accomplishments best suited for leading places. As it can be seen in the movie, Amin clearly holds these traits, deriving the popularity of the Ugandan people to convey their state into a better state of affairs ( scene from 13 minute to 14 minute 30 second ) . These traits can besides be seen with Amin ‘s developing relationship with Nicolas, the physician. Amin uses his strengths as a sociable, confident and determined leader, to obtain the services of Nicolas who was capable to uncertainness at the beginning ( scene from the 25 minute to 27 minute ) . Offering him a munificent life style with an flat, a Mercedes Benz ( scene from 48 to 50 min ) and the societal life style of a true male monarch ( scene from 27 to 28min ) , Nicolas shortly accepts the function as Amin ‘s personal physician ( scene from 37 to 38 min ) . This persuasive character could be argued to be natural traits of a leader, instead than empirical cognition. His powerful addresss to his followings, his ability to actuate those around him to their corporate cause, and his intelligence to capture the people of Uganda all can be linked to his natural ability as a leader ( scene from 13 minute to 14 minute 30 second ) .

However, in ulterior old ages, faculty members believed this trait theory to be excessively simplistic, overlooking the influences of the environment and fortunes in which a leader can be placed. Amin frequently refers to his childhood as a manner to explicate his behaviour, and desire to be Uganda ‘s leader ( scene from 35 min to 37 ) . This touches upon the theoretical theoretical account of Psychodynamic Approach. Leadership is based on the foundation of an person ‘s first experiences in life, which is where these leading traits are really formed. This frequently occurs by exposure to parents and the immediate community around them. Amin grew up in a hard and ambitious place scene. The imagination used within the movie clearly depicts this, foregrounding the poorness and the adversity of turning up in a small town in one of Africa ‘s troubled states. Therefore proposing that in fact this Trait Theory does non use, but that it is possible Amin ‘s immature childhood fortunes which have brought him to the leader that he is today.

Yet, broadening this position that childhood environments influences and molds a individual into their leading character, it seems apparent even the immediate environment can hold a major impact on a leader. Besides the apparent comments made by Amin that his childhood had much influence on his character and desire to be the president of his state, there are many other signals throughout the movie which suggest it is in fact the environment that can hold major influences upon him ( scene from 1h06 to 1h09 ) . As the movie moves into a state of affairs of crisis and exigency, this coincides with the change of Amin ‘s character ( from minute 51 to 55 ) . Amin ‘s government strengthens in its suppressive nature and autocratic temperament, and Amin himself moves from a adult male of calm and evident genuineness at the beginning of the movie ( scene from 30 to 35 min ) , to a adult male of a frenetic, barbarous and unpredictable temperament ( compared to the scene at 1h24 to 1h25 ) . The current environment in which Amin now finds himself, alters radically his leading frontage. The deteriorating political environment impacts profoundly on the determinations made by the leader and the manner in which he reacts to current issues.

The outside environment is clearly changing the ways in which Amin is taking his state. This is chiefly represented in the developing relationships that Amin has with his co-workers and his physician. As the external political and societal clime deteriorates, he moves from a relationship of exchange ( scene 40 to 41 min ) to entire autocratic ( scene 53 to 55 min ) . This thought of exchange can be seen in the Exchange Theory Model. The theoretical account suggests leaders use a series of exchanges to assist with their leading places. These exchanges nevertheless are non formed with a big figure of followings, but a little group of sure followings who may work as subsidiaries, helpers or advisers. Amin has a really little figure of advisers who work closely beside him, viz. Jonah Wasswa and Daniel Ssettaba, and besides Nicolas, Amin ‘s physician. With the exchange theoretical account, these followings are classified as portion of the ‘in-group ‘ . The staying followings, who in the illustration of the movie are the Ugandan people, are in the ‘out-group ‘ , with no common influence. The development of the leader-follower relationship can be been explained like a ‘life rhythm ‘ . The relationship begins with phase one, where the leader and the follower measure each others and any possible additions from this relationship. Amin is clearly captivated by Nicolas ‘s appeal from the minute he meets him ( scene from 17 to 20 min ) , and Nicolas is easy persuaded by the munificent life style that can be offered as the physician of a president. Amin trusts Nicolas immediately through his typical character and deficiency of fright ( from 25 to 27 min ) . This fancy is besides encouraged by Amin ‘s fondness for Scotland, where Nicolas is from ( scene at the 18 min ) . Common functions of the two are established, which is so followed by the 2nd phase of the life rhythm. During this phase, the common exchange agreement is developed, and common trust, trueness and regard are established. Amin becomes really close to Nicolas, swearing him and mentioning to him like a household member ( scene from min 39 to 40 and scene from 58 to 59 min ) . At the 3rd phase, the ‘mature ‘ phase, common committedness is established, based on opportunisms.

These phases of the exchange theory can be seen vividly throughout the movie. The two work forces become to a great extent involved in a relationship that moves beyond the basic constructs of leading with his follower. Amin ‘s dependance on Nicolas go much more than the demands of a physician. Amin asks Nicolas to replace him in a serious meeting ( scene from 41 min to 43 ) , and Amin becomes reliant on Nicolas to help him in his determinations, and turns to him in times where he can no longer transport out his leading duties affectively. This greatly depicts the altering character of Amin as a leader, who is faced with a figure of really hard jobs. He begins to utilize his relationships with his followings as a method in which to help himself as a leader. As he starts to waver in his leading function, his character can go formidable, unpredictable and apparently losing control ( scene from 53 to 55min ) . Amin besides displayed this fluctuating behaviour in contrary ; Amin is easy moved from an angry and violent temperament to a positive and cheerful character ( scene from 28 to 32 min ) . This fluctuating behaviour has been identified by faculty members as a trait that does non match good for leaders, but that a composure, composed character Idaho better suited, able to measure a state of affairs without affecting great personal attitude.

Through the film, it appears clearly that Amin can be considered as a veteran in the leading consideration attack as he was born on 17 May 1924. In fact, he is truly focused on himself ; he is looking for his ain security foremost and does n’t care about people ‘s life ( scene from 1h44 to 1h47 ) . Furthermore, Amin is continuously looking for acknowledgment and achievement. In his megalomania, he collected a big figure of ornaments and honorary rubrics. Besides, the president frequently adopts a proactive attack, he likes taking determinations ( scene from 1h 04 to 1h06 ) .

Discussion: What aspects of leading had we non considered but are apparent in the movie

We assume that leaders are unagitated and under control, but in fact, the word picture of Amin in this movie is non a narrative of rareness. He gives the image of himself as an insane dictator, violent and bossy. In fact, there are many illustrations of leaders who are unable to efficaciously take on the function of such a place, and consequences can happen which do non profit themselves or their followings. Even when people are given the opportunity to go a good leader, with the right scenes, fortunes and followings, under the force per unit area, they can easy neglect. This movie highlights the defects of leaders, and that it must be taken into consideration that leaders are neither born with innate endowments which others can non endeavor to, nor do they derive unflawed experience on which they can utilize to be successful. But that it is the manner in which one adapts themselves to the state of affairss in which they find themselves that can expose a good leader, with the ability to take his people in the right manner. Amin clearly failed to accomplish this, even with the great trueness of his people, the ability to negociate with the outside universe of his desire to better Uganda and from the aid of his close associates such as Nicolas Garrigan. Amin was given many chances to utilize his strong place to assist the cause of Uganda, yet failed, falling to the custodies of corruptness, greed, and self high quality. Thus it may be argued that in fact, it is the character of the individual, the leader who is put in such a place, that consequences in the success of a leading function, and his desire to accomplish success or failure.

Decision

Throughout history, the construction of societies has continued to follow the formation of leaders with their followings. Whilst there are some who take on the function of a leader, the bulk will follow, in the hope of additions for themselves and their communities. The absolutisms from recent history can be closely analysed in order to offer clear presentation of these relationships, including the true narrative of Idi Amin in Uganda.

The movie offers a figure of ways in which to see a leader and to show an interesting argument as to which features truly make a good leader. Besides, it can be stated that Amin is a leader anchored in our modern-day civilizations.

It leads us to inquire ourselves can we still believe in leading? This movie allows us to inquire ourselves whether a good leader still exists. Peoples want to believe in leaders who can take them to a better universe or a better state of affairs than at current, a leader who has the abilities to better fortunes, to convey something new and good. However, it seems people are progressively cognizant of the disadvantages and jobs of leaders and the power given to such people can be one of error and sorrow.

At present, the ideal of a perfect leader is less considered as the solution to jobs and that power should be given to a wider figure of people and that democracy is a much fairer method of dealing. The heightened corruptness and surplus of power that has been prominent in the history of leaders, is leting for the realization that leaders entirely should non be given such power. The movie underlines this thought, as the Ugandan people reflect the development of idea on leading in our modern-day society.