Idi Amin, the famous dictator who ran Uganda for 8 years, has died in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. He was around 80 years old.

Idi was born in the 20s to a tiny tribe in northwestern Uganda, to a sorceress mother and an absent father. He dropped out of school and went into boxing and the military.

Idi Amin took power of Uganda on January 25, 1971 while the legitimate president was out of the country. At first the Ugandan population welcomed Idi's strength and power, and the way he stood up to Britain and other countries. However, over time, his lust for power and control caused his people to plead for help from outsiders, and for other countries to decry Idi's harsh methods.

According to many humans rights groups, over half a million people were slain during Idi's rule. Whenever people spoke out against him or stood in his way, murder was his solution. Most of the bodies went into the Nile River instead of dealing with digging graves - and the remains would clog intake valves at hydroelectric plants.

Idi is perhaps best remembered for the highjacking of an Air France flight in 1976. The Palestinians who took the plane landed it in Uganda and kept the passengers as hostages. The hostages were rescued in a daring raid.

In April 1979 Idi was ousted and fled to Saudi Arabia. He lived the rich life there, with maids, cooks and drivers. He imported most of his food from his native Uganda.

Idi had four wives and around 30 children.