Politics of Uganda: Difference between revisions
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{{Politics of Uganda}} | {{Politics of Uganda}} | ||
The '''politics of [[Uganda]]''' occurs in an [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] context. Since assuming office in 1986 at the end of the [[Ugandan Bush War|Ugandan civil war]], [[Yoweri Museveni]] has ruled Uganda as | The '''politics of [[Uganda]]''' occurs in an [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] context. Since assuming office in 1986 at the end of the [[Ugandan Bush War|Ugandan civil war]], [[Yoweri Museveni]] has ruled Uganda as a [[dictator]].<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last1=Makara |first1=Sabiti |title=Uganda |date=2023 |url=https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/60999 |work=Democratic Backsliding in Africa? |pages=212–234 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-286732-2 |last2=Wang |first2=Vibeke|hdl=20.500.12657/60999 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Tapscott |first=Rebecca |url=https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49735 |title=Arbitrary States |date=2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-885647-4 |language=en |doi=10.1093/oso/9780198856474.001.0001|hdl=20.500.12657/49735 }}</ref> [[Political party|Political parties]] were banned from 1986 to 2006 in the wake of the [[2005 Ugandan multi-party referendum]] which was won by pro-democracy forces.<ref name=":0" /> Since 2006, Museveni has used legal means, patronage, and violence to maintain power.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
Under the [[Constitution of Uganda|Ugandan constitution]], Uganda is a [[Presidential system|presidential republic]] in which the [[President of Uganda|President]] is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government business. There is a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is given to both the government and the National Assembly. The system is based on a democratic parliamentary system with equal rights for all citizens over 18 years of age. | Under the [[Constitution of Uganda|Ugandan constitution]], Uganda is a [[Presidential system|presidential republic]] in which the [[President of Uganda|President]] is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government business. There is a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is given to both the government and the National Assembly. The system is based on a democratic parliamentary system with equal rights for all citizens over 18 years of age. | ||
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[[File:Idi Amin at UN (United Nations, New York) gtfy.00132 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Idi Amin]], one of the most notable of Ugandan presidents.|265x265px]] | [[File:Idi Amin at UN (United Nations, New York) gtfy.00132 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Idi Amin]], one of the most notable of Ugandan presidents.|265x265px]] | ||
After taking power after a five-year civil war in 1986, the authoritarian Yoweri Museveni regime banned political parties from campaigning in elections or field candidates directly (although electoral candidates could belong to political parties). A [[Ugandan multi-party referendum, 2005|constitutional referendum]] canceled this 19-year ban on multi-party politics in July 2005.{{ | After taking power after a five-year civil war in 1986, the authoritarian Yoweri Museveni regime banned political parties from campaigning in elections or field candidates directly (although electoral candidates could belong to political parties). A [[Ugandan multi-party referendum, 2005|constitutional referendum]] canceled this 19-year ban on multi-party politics in July 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change in Uganda: A New Opening? |url=https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/change-in-uganda-a-new-opening/ |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=Journal of Democracy |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
Presidential elections were held in February 2006. Museveni ran against several candidates, of whom the most prominent was the exiled Dr. [[Kizza Besigye]]. Museveni was declared the winner. Besigye alleged fraud, and rejected the result. The [[Supreme Court of Uganda]] ruled that the election was marred by intimidation, violence, [[voter disenfranchisement]], and other irregularities. However, the Court voted 4-3 to uphold the results of the election.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4750040.stm "Uganda's Museveni wins election"], ''BBC'', 25 February 2006</ref> | Presidential elections were held in February 2006. Museveni ran against several candidates, of whom the most prominent was the exiled Dr. [[Kizza Besigye]]. Museveni was declared the winner. Besigye alleged fraud, and rejected the result. The [[Supreme Court of Uganda]] ruled that the election was marred by intimidation, violence, [[voter disenfranchisement]], and other irregularities. However, the Court voted 4-3 to uphold the results of the election.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4750040.stm "Uganda's Museveni wins election"], ''BBC'', 25 February 2006</ref> | ||
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*[[Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (Uganda)|Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development]] | *[[Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (Uganda)|Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development]] | ||
*[[Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Uganda)|Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development]] | *[[Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Uganda)|Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development]] | ||
*[[Ministry of Security]] | *[[Ministry of Security (Uganda)|Ministry of Security]] | ||
*[[Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)|Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs]] | *[[Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)|Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs]] | ||
*[[Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Uganda)|Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries]] | *[[Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Uganda)|Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries]] | ||
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* [[Cabinet of Uganda]] | * [[Cabinet of Uganda]] | ||
* [[Human rights in Uganda#Freedom of the press|Freedom of the press in Uganda]] | * [[Human rights in Uganda#Freedom of the press|Freedom of the press in Uganda]] | ||
* [[Internet in Uganda#Internet censorship and surveillance|Internet censorship and surveillance in Uganda]] | |||
* [[Parliament of Uganda]] | * [[Parliament of Uganda]] | ||
* [[Supreme Court of Uganda]] | * [[Supreme Court of Uganda]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:20, 26 October 2025
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The politics of Uganda occurs in an authoritarian context. Since assuming office in 1986 at the end of the Ugandan civil war, Yoweri Museveni has ruled Uganda as a dictator.[1][2] Political parties were banned from 1986 to 2006 in the wake of the 2005 Ugandan multi-party referendum which was won by pro-democracy forces.[1] Since 2006, Museveni has used legal means, patronage, and violence to maintain power.[1]
Under the Ugandan constitution, Uganda is a presidential republic in which the President is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government business. There is a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is given to both the government and the National Assembly. The system is based on a democratic parliamentary system with equal rights for all citizens over 18 years of age. Template:Democracy Index rating
Political culture
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After taking power after a five-year civil war in 1986, the authoritarian Yoweri Museveni regime banned political parties from campaigning in elections or field candidates directly (although electoral candidates could belong to political parties). A constitutional referendum canceled this 19-year ban on multi-party politics in July 2005.[3]
Presidential elections were held in February 2006. Museveni ran against several candidates, of whom the most prominent was the exiled Dr. Kizza Besigye. Museveni was declared the winner. Besigye alleged fraud, and rejected the result. The Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that the election was marred by intimidation, violence, voter disenfranchisement, and other irregularities. However, the Court voted 4-3 to uphold the results of the election.[4]
Executive
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Yoweri Museveni | National Resistance Movement | 26 January 1986 |
| Prime Minister | Robinah Nabbanja | National Resistance Movement | 21 June 2021 |
The head of state in Uganda is the President, who is elected by a popular vote to a five-year term. This is currently Yoweri Museveni, who is also the head of the armed forces. The previous presidential elections were in February 2011, and in the election of February 2016, Museveni was elected with 68 percent of the vote. The cabinet is appointed by the president from among the elected legislators. The prime minister of Uganda, Robina Nabbanja, assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The Cabinet of Uganda, according to the Constitution of Uganda, "shall consist of the President, the Vice President and such number of Ministers as may appear to the President to be reasonably necessary for the efficient running of the State."[5][6]
Ministries of Uganda
The below are the ministries in Uganda:[7] Template:Div col
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs
- Ministry of Public Service
- Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development
- Ministry of Education and Sports
- Ministry for Karamoja Affairs
- Ministry of Local Government
- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Works and Transport
- Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development
- Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
- Ministry of Water and Environment
- Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development
- Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
- Ministry of Security
- Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
- Ministry of Information and Communications Technology
- Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
Political parties and elections
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Presidential elections
The most recent presidential elections in Uganda were held on 14 January 2021 featuring 11 aspirants comprising 10 men and 1 woman.
The announced but contested results are as follows;
| Candidates' Names | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Amuriat Oboi Patrick | 337,589 | 3.26% |
| Kabuleta Kiiza Joseph | 45,424 | 0.44% |
| Kalembe Nancy Linda | 38,772 | 0.37% |
| Katumba John | 37,554 | 0.36% |
| Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu | 3,631,437 | 35.08% |
| Mao Norbert | 57,682 | 0.56% |
| Mayambala Willy | 15,014 | 0.15% |
| Mugisha Muntu Gregg | 67,574 | 0.65% |
| Mwesigye Fred | 25,483 | 0.25% |
| Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu | 51,392 | 0.50% |
| Yoweri Museveni | 6,042,898 | 58.38% |
| Invalid Votes | 393,500 | 3.66% |
| Valid Votes | 10,350,819 |
Source: Uganda Electoral Commission[8]
In this 2021 election, the pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine (also known as Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu) was runner-up and challenged the election results in the country's highest court (Supreme Court), seeking to overturn Museveni's victory.[9] The highly contested election was marred with violence; the European Parliament voiced outrage and condemnation, calling for sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for human rights violations in Uganda.[10]
The results of the most recent presidential election from 2021 are as below:Template:Election results
Parliamentary elections
The results of the most recent parliamentary election from 2021 are as below:Template:Election results
Judiciary
The Ugandan judiciary operates as an independent branch of government and consists of magistrate's courts, high courts, courts of appeal (which organizes itself as the Constitutional Court of Uganda when hearing constitutional issues), and the Supreme Court. Judges for the High Court are appointed by the president; Judges for the Court of Appeal are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Foreign relations
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A fight between the Ugandan and Libyan presidential guards sparked chaos during a ceremony attended by the heads of state from 11 African nations on March 19, 2008.[11]
International organization participation
See also
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- List of government ministries of Uganda
- Cabinet of Uganda
- Freedom of the press in Uganda
- Internet censorship and surveillance in Uganda
- Parliament of Uganda
- Supreme Court of Uganda
References
Sources
- Uganda's opposition join forces (BBC News, 16 February 2004)
- "Uganda 'night commuters' flee rebel brutality" (Yahoo News, October 17, 2005)
- Tripp, Aili Mari, Museveni’s Uganda: Paradoxes of Power in a Hybrid Regime, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2010.
External links
- Parliament of Uganda
- State House of Uganda
- Constitution of the Republic of Uganda
- Party Politics in Uganda, 1963-2000, Christina Nyströmee
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- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Uganda's Museveni wins election", BBC, 25 February 2006
- ↑ 1995 Constitution of Uganda (see page 83 of 192)
- ↑ 2005 amended Constitution of Uganda (see page 100 of 231)
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