Politics of Uganda

Uganda is a presidential republic, in which the President of Uganda is both the head of state and head of government. 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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The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Uganda a "hybrid regime" in 2019.[1]

Political culture

In a measure ostensibly designed to reduce sectarian violence, political parties were restricted in their activities from 1986. In the non-party "Movement" system instituted by President Yoweri Museveni, political parties continued to exist but could not campaign 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.

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.[2]

Executive
The structure of Uganda's government.
Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda.
Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Yoweri Museveni National Resistance Movement 26 January 1986
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda National Resistance Movement 18 September 2014

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, Ruhakana Rugunda, assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet.

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."[3][4]

Ministries of Uganda

[5]

Political parties and elections
Main articles: List of political parties in Uganda and Elections in Uganda

Presidential elections
Main article: 2016 Ugandan general election
Candidate Party Votes %
Yoweri MuseveniNational Resistance Movement5,971,87260.62
Kizza BesigyeForum for Democratic Change3,508,68735.61
Amama MbabaziGo Forward136,5191.39
Abed BwanikaPeople's Development Party89,0050.90
Venansius BaryamureebaIndependent52,7980.54
Faith KyalyaIndependent42,8330.43
Benon BiraaroUganda Farmers Party25,6000.26
Joseph MabiriziIndependent24,4980.25
Invalid/blank votes477,319–
Total10,329,131100
Registered voters/turnout15,277,19867.61
Source: EC

Parliamentary elections
Main article: 2016 Ugandan general election
Party Votes % Seats
Direct Women Special Total +/–
National Resistance Movement1998410293+30
Forum for Democratic Change297036+2
Democratic Party132015+3
Uganda People's Congress4206–4
Independents4417566+23
Uganda People's Defence Force––––10100
Invalid/blank votes––––––
Total28911225426+51
Registered voters/turnout15,277,198–––––
Source: EC

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.

Foreign relations
Further information: Foreign relations of Uganda

A fight between Ugandan and Libyan presidential guards sparked chaos during a ceremony attended by the heads of state from 11 African nations on March 19, 2008.[6]

International organization participation

See also

References
  1. The Economist Intelligence Unit (8 January 2019). "Democracy Index 2019". Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. "Uganda's Museveni wins election", BBC, 25 February 2006
  3. 1995 Constitution of Uganda (see page 83 of 192)
  4. 2005 amended Constitution of Uganda (see page 100 of 231)
  5. "Home - Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives". mtic.go.ug.
  6. Ntale, Samson. "Guards for African leaders battle; dozen injured". edition.cnn.com.
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