Government and Political System
Brief History
Formerly a British colony, Uganda regained her independence on October 9, 1962. Today’s Uganda has come a long way from its pre-1986 and in many ways reflects the new face of emerging Africa. Under the firm leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda has transformed into a politically stable country with a dynamic economy based on free market principles. The Rule of Law is entrenched and has prevailed for over 20 years. Uganda today has a strong people’s Parliament and independent Judiciary to check on the Executive.

Constitution

Uganda promulgated a new Constitution in October 1995.Under the Constitution, Parliament is the supreme organ of Government. While the Constitution allows for the registration of political parties, Multi-party activity has been suspended, subject to a vote by the people of Uganda through though the national referendum. Uganda continues to run under a government of national unity, otherwise known as the ‘Movement System of Government’

 Elections

Presidential elections are held every five years. Parliamentary elections are also held every five years. The last elections were held in March 2001.

Government:
The present government in Uganda is that of the Movement or no-party with Yoweri Museveni as the executive President.
He was first elected by universal adult suffrage in 1996.

 

H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

The Executive:
This is headed by the president.
The president is deputised by the vice president. Below the vice president is the Prime Minister. Cabinet ministers follow the Prime Minister in hierarchy. Cabinet ministers are deputised by state ministers.

The Parliament:
This is the legislative arm of the government.
It consists of 280 members most of whom were elected through the ballot box except a few special interest groups like the army, women, youth and the disabled whose representatives were elected by Electoral Colleges. The present Parliament (the sixth) is largely independent of the executive and has been very active. When fully constituted it consists of the following:

* 214 Constituency Representatives
* 39 District Women Representatives
* 10 Uganda People's Defence forces Representatives
* 5 Representatives of the Youth
* 5 Representatives of persons with Disabilities
* 3 Representatives of Workers
It has passed several laws and amendments and censured some cabinet ministers for corruption and abuse of office.

The Judiciary:
This is formed by the various courts of judicature, which are independent of the other arms of government.
They comprise the magisterial courts, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. As and when the need arises the Constitutional Court can be constituted.