Nyerere, Julius

(1922- ) Tanzanian politician who became leader of the Tanganyika African Association, transforming it into the Tanganyika African National Union in 1954. He was prime minister of independent Tanganyika in 1961 and president in 1962. When Zanzibar united with Tanganyika in 1964, forming Tanzania, he continued as president (1964-85) and was head of the Organization of African Unity. His troops invaded Uganda and toppled Idi Amin in 1979.