Aiming for Glory: Idi Amin's 25-Year-Old Grandson Pursues Commonwealth Games Boxing Gold to Claim 'King of Scotland' Title

THE GRANDSON of a murderous East African dictator has vowed to become the ‘King of Scotland’ at the Commonwealth Games.

Idi Amin was a military officer who became the third president of Uganda following a coup in 1971 he ruled with a brutal iron fist until 1979.

Aziz Abdul salutes the crowd after booking his place in the Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight quarter-finals in Glasgow Credit: unknown Ugandan heavyweight Aziz Abdul throws a jab during his Commonwealth Games campaign as he chases boxing gold Credit: Photograph: CKristu Mbabazi/Uganda Boxing Federation Website

Known as ‘The Butcher of Uganda,’ it is estimated that during his eight-year regime up to half a million people were killed.

Amin – who married six times and is believed to have fathered up to 60 children – had a bizarre fixation with Scotland and often wore kilts and played the bagpipes.

In July 1976, he famously declared himself as “The Last King of Scotland” and this established his reputation and notoriety abroad.

A novel about Amin and a fictional Scottish doctor, which interwove and historical fact, came out in 1998.

And then Hollywood got involved, producing a 20 years ago about his life that saw lead star Forest Whitaker, who portrayed Amin, win an Academy Award for Best Actor.

Victims and their families never got justice for his blood-thirsty actions, as he was never tried in an international court.

And after living out retirement in exile, Amin died in August 2003 aged 75 while in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Now, more than half a century since he was in power, heavyweight boxer Aziz Abdul credits his grandfather as his inspiration as he attempts to become the ‘baddest man’ in Glasgow.

Former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin ruled the country from 1971 to 1979 and notoriously declared himself “The Last King of Scotland” Credit: AP:Associated Press Idi Amin fires a rocket launcher alongside troops still loyal to him in April 1979 during the final days of his brutal regime Credit: Getty

Abdul, nicknamed Ringo, is up against English boxer Damar Thomas on Wednesday evening in the quarter-finals of the super-heavyweight class.

The winner will advance to the semi-finals and therefore be guaranteed at least a bronze medal.

Abdul, 25,said: “I’m very happy to be fighting the English fighter.

“Nobody knows what is going to happen. As said: ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.’ Anything can happen in heavyweight .

“My grandfather’s (boxing) achievements inspired me. He was a heavyweight boxer like me, and I am so proud of him.

Idi Amin attends a summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 1976, three years before his dictatorship came to an end Credit: Getty

“Now we are not in Africa, we are in Europe. As my grandpa used to say, you need to win by knockout, so that’s what we have trained for and that’s what I hope to do.

“I believe in myself and I mean what I say. When I say I will do it, I will do it. Let them not doubt me. I am aiming for the gold medal.

Uganda have won eight boxing golds, including three at the 1970 Games in , but the last one came at the Auckland 1990 Games.

Abdul added: “My idol is Mike Tyson, the baddest man on the planet.

‘Iron Mike’ is the main source of inspiration for Aziz Abdul Credit: Getty

“If I win the gold medal, I will be the baddest man in the Commonwealth, the baddest man in Glasgow, and the new King of Scotland.

“My big weapon is my ‘Ringo punch’. I am not going to tell you about it – I will show you on the day if the right time comes.

“You will see what the Ringo punch looks like. The big boys are here now.

“Lions give back to lions. A lion cannot give back to a dog or a camel. A lion must resemble a lion. It is what it is. I am a real warrior. I am the son of the son.”