A Popular History of Idi Amin's Uganda.

This article reviews Derek R. Peterson's *A Popular History of Idi Amin's Uganda*, which offers a revisionist perspective on Idi Amin's regime by focusing on the everyday bureaucrats, clerks, teachers, and businessmen who maintained Uganda's governmental infrastructure during the 1970s. Contrasting with the prevalent sensationalist portrayals of Amin as solely a brutal dictator, Peterson highlights how many ordinary Ugandans viewed Amin as a figure of cultural and economic liberation. While the book enriches understanding of the period's public life, it leaves some questions about the motivations of these individuals unanswered and cautions against viewing Uganda entirely through the lens of Amin's state power. The work responds to ongoing debates in Uganda about Amin's legacy and challenges simplified narratives that have influenced both domestic and international perceptions.