Idi Amin — The Dictator Who Divorced Three Wives by Radio Announcement
He announced the divorce of three wives on state radio. One was later found dismembered. Another was arrested for trying to flee.
Key Facts
What Happened
Idi Amin Dada, the military dictator who ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979 and is estimated to have killed between 100,000 and 500,000 people, treated marriage with the same brutality he applied to governance. He married at least six women, often simultaneously under polygamous custom, with five serving as official 'First Ladies' before he was deposed.
On March 26, 1974, Amin made international headlines by announcing on Radio Uganda that he had divorced three of his wives — Malyamu, Nora, and Kay — simultaneously. He claimed they had gotten drunk and thrown a party without his permission. No court proceedings, no legal process, no negotiation — just a radio broadcast ending three marriages at once. Malyamu was subsequently arrested at the Kenyan border in April 1974, accused of trying to smuggle fabric out of the country.
The fate of Kay Adroa was far more horrifying. Her dismembered body was discovered in the trunk of a car in 1974. While never officially connected to Amin, the discovery came shortly after the radio divorce announcement. Nora escaped to Zaire in 1979, and her current whereabouts remain unknown. These were not divorces in any legal sense — they were acts of state terror disguised as domestic proceedings.
Amin continued marrying after these events. Nalongo Madina, whom he married in 1972, remained with him until his death in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2003. Sarah Kyolaba, a 19-year-old go-go dancer he married in 1975, separated from him in 1982. Amin's 'marriages' and 'divorces' stand as extreme examples of how authoritarian power can obliterate any pretense of marital rights.
Legal Breakdown: Marriage rights under authoritarian regimes
No Due Process in Authoritarian Regimes
Amin's radio divorces had no legal basis — no court proceedings, no property division, no custody arrangements. Under authoritarian rule, the concept of marriage 'rights' becomes meaningless because the ruler operates above any legal framework.
Physical Safety in Abusive Marriages
The fates of Amin's wives — dismemberment, arrest, disappearance — represent the extreme end of domestic violence. While most divorce situations are nothing like this, the case underscores that physical safety must be the absolute first priority in any separation from a dangerous spouse.
International Escape and Asylum
Several of Amin's wives attempted to flee the country, with varying results. In extreme domestic abuse situations, international relocation and asylum may be necessary, and organizations like the UN Refugee Agency can provide assistance.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Physical safety is the absolute first priority when separating from a dangerous partner.
- →Authoritarian or controlling partners may ignore legal processes entirely — plan accordingly.
- →Create an escape plan with trusted contacts before attempting to leave an abusive situation.
- →International organizations and embassies can provide emergency assistance in extreme situations.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.