As famous foreign dignitaries continue to pay condolence visits to Nigeria over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, Ali Ramathan Amin Jnr, son of Uganda’s former President Idi Amin Dada, has arrived in the country to commiserate with the families of the deceased elder statesmen.
The visit is at the behest of the Kungiyar Hadin Kan Hausawan Duniya, an international charity foundation under the leadership of Alhaji Muhammad Saeed and is expected to last for three days. The visitor is expected to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja and thereafter travel to Daura in Katsina state and Kano in Kano state to commiserate with the families and people of Nigeria over the losses.
Ali Ramadhan Amin Jnr is a Ugandan patriot and public servant and the son of Uganda’s former President Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada. He was born into a legacy of leadership which gave him an early view of state affairs and responsibilities of national governance.
Rather than running from the much-maligned family name, he is carrying it with the conviction to reimagine its meaning for a new generation and grow from that legacy into a voice of modern reform, youth empowerment and African pride with a personal mission to unite, transform and elevate Uganda beyond its historical wounds.
As a candidate in the forthcoming 2026 presidential election in Uganda, he has stepped forward as a reformer grounded in Uganda’s real struggles and beacon for real possibilities. His campaign is built on the principle of a reborn Uganda – democratic, industrialised, united, and inclusive.
Born and raised in Uganda, he experienced first-hand the complex legacy of his father’s presidency that still provokes mixed reactions within Uganda and abroad. Marked by deep patriotism, a sense of self-determination and nationalism that animated his rule, the late President Idi Amin Dada has been much-maligned by the Western media.
These experiences shaped Ali Ramathan Amin’s awareness of the cost of leadership without national consensus and the importance of governance that truly serves the people while honouring the memory and complex legacy of his late father.
His political journey has been shaped by a desire to build a new Uganda that learns from its past and looks boldly into the future. He has spent much of his life engaging with grassroots communities, listening to the struggles of ordinary Ugandans, and building alliances with those who believe in a reformed, modern, and sovereign Uganda.
His extensive education in East Africa and abroad focused on political science, leadership, and African governance. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the Islamic Call University in Uganda and has immersed himself in post-colonial political theory, Pan-Africanism and development studies, preparing himself for purpose-driven leadership.
He has also pursued specialised training in geopolitical strategy and economic policy through programmes affiliated with leading global institutions. These included intensive studies of Singapore’s economic miracle, Rwanda’s governance reforms and the UAE’s diversification strategy models.
Before joining politics, he built successful enterprises in agriculture, logistics, and renewable energy sectors critical to Uganda’s development. His companies have created 120 direct jobs and 380 indirect employment opportunities; pioneered out-grower schemes that increased smallholder farmer incomes by 60% and implemented East Africa’s first fully solar-powered cold-storage chain.
This hands-on business experience gives him unique insight into the regulatory reforms needed to unleash Uganda’s economic potential.
In his professional and civic life, he has invested time in grassroots mobilization, interfaith dialogue, youth mentorship and rural economic inclusion.
In addition, he has undergone continuous training in Leadership, Conflict Resolution, and African Governance. Fluent in English, Luganda, Arabic and Swahili, he is uniquely positioned to lead because he understands Uganda from both the inside and the outside.
His family history gives him insight into power while his civic work gives him connection to the people.
As Chairman of the New Uganda Forum, a socioeconomic think-tank he led teams that produced ground-breaking policy papers on streamlining business registration (reducing delays from 14 days to 48 hours); modernizing tax collection system (increasing compliance by 40% in pilot programmes); and revitalising cooperative unions to empower small-scale producers.
Nigerian politicians have a lot to learn from Ali Ramathan Amin Jnr. Over the past five years, he personally visited all 146 districts of Uganda, holding over 700 community dialogues. This unprecedented listening tour helped shape his LEADERSHIP VALUES & GUIDING PRINCIPLES that enunciate: (1) Patriotism: Uganda first in all decisions (2) Reconciliation: Uniting all Ugandans beyond tribe, religion, and political past (3). Transparency: Promoting accountability and anti-corruption in all institutions (4). Youth Empowerment: Creating a Uganda that works for young people and (5) Economic Liberation: Building a self-reliant industrialised Uganda.
His UGANDA REBORN is not a mere campaign slogan. It is a social contract offered to Ugandans. It envisions a country where leaders are accountable, where youth create industries, and where justice is not bought or borrowed. It aims to lead a peaceful democratic transition that returns power to the people, revives national institutions, empowers youth and women, and guarantees economic dignity for all.
The “UGANDA REBORN” agenda envisions a country where the judiciary is free from political interference; Independent institutions serve the people, not individuals; the economy is driven by local industries, agro-value addition, and SMEs; job creation policies target youth and women through entrepreneurship hubs; and where affordable and inclusive healthcare and education are rights not privileges.
Ali Ramathan Amin Jnr’s campaigns consistently convey his humility to admit Uganda’s failures and the courage to chart a new direction for the well-endowed country. He speaks to artisans, farmers, politicians and businesspeople alike indicating he does not fear difficult conversations. As a candidate who carries no illusions, he moves with a team, a plan and a heart for service. At campaigns, he often says, “I am not asking Ugandans to forget their history. I am asking them to write the next chapter with me.”
As the son of Uganda’s former Head of State, he carries both the weight of history and the promise of renewal. His father’s regime left complex legacies that taught him invaluable lessons about power, governance and the consequences of leadership decisions. Rather than shy away from this history, he seems to have studied it deeply learning what to emulate and what to reform.
This unique perspective allows him to approach Uganda’s contemporary challenges with rare insight and an understanding of the delicate balance between authority and accountability, between national pride and international cooperation. His vision is not about the past, but about crafting a future where Uganda achieves its full potential as a peaceful, prosperous, and respected African nation.