This is a comprehensive list of Uganda’s presidents since the country gained independence on October 9, 1962. The President of Uganda is both the head of state and head of government, leading the country’s executive branch and is the commander-in-chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Force.
In 2005, presidential term limits were removed, allowing a president to serve more than two terms. In 2017, the upper age limit of 75 for presidential candidates was also removed, which lets older candidates run for president. This has allowed President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, to continue ruling Uganda.
READ ALSO: List Of Sudan’s Head Of State Since 1956
List Of Uganda Presidents Since Independence
No | Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Frederick Edward Mutesa II | 9 October 1963 - 2 March 1966 | Kabaka Yekka |
2 | Milton Obote | 2 March 1966 - 25 January 1971 | Uganda People's Congress |
3 | Idi Amin | 25 January 1971 - 11 April 1979 | Military |
4 | Yusuf Lule | 13 April 1979 - 20 June 1979 | Independent (UNLF) |
5 | Godfrey Binaisa | 20 June 1979 - 12 May 1980 | Uganda People's Congress (UNFL) |
6 | Paulo Muwanga | 12 May 1980 - 22 May 1980 | Uganda People's Congress (UNFL) |
7 | Presidential Commission (Saulo Musoke, Polycarp Nyamuchoncho, Joel Wacha-Olwol) | 22 May 1980 - 15 December 1980 | Independent |
8 | Milton Obote | 17 December 1980 - 27 July 1985 | Uganda People's Congress |
9 | Bazilio Olara-Okello | 27 July 1985 - 29 July 1985 | Military |
10 | Tito Okello | 29 July 1985 - 26 January 1986 | Military |
11 | Yoweri Museveni | 26 January 1986 - Present | National Resistance Movement |
Who Was The First President Of Uganda After Independence?
The first president of Uganda after the country gained independence was Edward Mutesa II, also known as Kabaka Mutesa II.
He was born on November 19, 1924, and was the King of Buganda, one of Uganda’s largest and most influential kingdoms.
His reign as the king, or Kabaka, began on November 22, 1939, and continued until he died in 1969. Mutesa became the first president of Uganda after it gained independence from British rule on October 9, 1962.
He was elected to this position on October 9, 1963, but his role was mostly ceremonial. While he was president, the real power in the country was held by Milton Obote, who was the Prime Minister.
This arrangement was part of a political alliance between Mutesa’s party, Kabaka Yekka (KY), and Obote’s Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
They worked together to ensure that Buganda, the kingdom led by Mutesa, had a strong position in the newly independent country. However, as time went on, the relationship between Mutesa and Obote became more difficult.
Tensions grew because Obote wanted to take away the power of traditional kingdoms like Buganda and strengthen the central government.
In 1966, Obote took drastic action. He suspended Uganda’s constitution and attacked Mutesa’s palace with the military. Mutesa was forced to flee the country and went into exile in London.
After Mutesa left, Obote declared himself the president and created a new constitution. This constitution removed the power of traditional kingdoms and gave more control to the central government. Mutesa’s presidency ended, and the country’s political structure changed dramatically.
Which President Ruled Uganda For The Shortest Time?
The president who ruled Uganda for the shortest time was Yusuf Kironde Lule. He served as president for only 68 days, from April 13, 1979, to June 20, 1979.
Lule became president after the notorious dictator Idi Amin was overthrown. His brief leadership was part of a transitional period as the country tried to recover from Amin’s brutal regime.
Yusuf Lule was born in January 1912 and he was the first black principal of Makerere University College, one of East Africa’s leading educational institutions.
Lule was chosen as president by the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF), the group that took over after Amin’s downfall.
He was seen as a unifying figure because of his Muganda ethnicity, which helped him gain support from the influential Baganda people.
Despite high expectations, Lule faced many challenges during his presidency. He struggled with political instability and disagreements within the UNLF.
Although he was officially the president, real power often rested with figures like Julius Nyerere, the president of Tanzania, and Paulo Muwanga.
Lule tried to implement reforms in the military, including changing recruitment practices and restructuring the armed forces.
However, these moves caused tension with military leaders who felt their positions were threatened. On June 20, 1979, just 68 days after taking office, Lule was removed from power by the National Consultative Commission (NCC).
They accused him of making decisions without consulting them. After his removal, Godfrey Binaisa became the next president.
After being ousted, Lule went into exile in Tanzania and later moved to the UK, where he continued to be involved in Ugandan politics. Sadly, he passed away in 1985.
READ ALSO: List Of South African Presidents Since 1994
Who Is The Current President Of Uganda?
The current president of Uganda is Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He has been in office since January 26, 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
Museveni was born on September 15, 1944, in Rukungiri, which was part of British Uganda at the time (now Uganda).
He is a military officer and politician who is the leader of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the political party he belongs to.
Museveni was involved in the Ugandan Bush War, which started after he lost the election in 1980. This war led to the fall of the government of Milton Obote and eventually helped Museveni take control of the country.
He is known for his strong military background, as he has been involved in different conflicts, including the Uganda–Tanzania War and the First and Second Congo Wars.
Under Museveni’s rule, Uganda has seen many changes, both positive and negative. Also, Uganda has experienced periods of peace and development.
However, Museveni has been criticized for his authoritarian style of leadership. He has often been described as anti-democratic, as he has made moves to keep himself in power.
In 2005, he removed term limits for presidents, allowing him to run for office again. In 2017, he also removed the presidential age limit, which would have stopped him from running in future elections.
In the 2021 election, Museveni was re-elected for a sixth term with 58.6% of the vote, although there were many reports of election irregularities and human rights violations.
Despite this, he continues to hold power, and his rule has had a major impact on Uganda’s politics and development. As of 2022, Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in the world in terms of GDP and Human Development Index, ranking 166th and 167th, respectively.
Many people continue to question whether the country’s long-term leader will bring about the changes needed to improve the nation for future generations.
