Politics of Uganda

Politics of Uganda takes place within the framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Uganda is both head of state and head of government, as well as of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The system is based on a democratic parliamentary system with universal suffrage for all citizens over 18 years of age.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 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 cancelled this 19-year ban on multi-party politics in July 2005.

The presidential elections were held in February 2006. Museveni ran against several candidates, the most prominent of whom was exiled Dr. Kizza Besigye. Museveni was declared the winner in the elections which were predominantly free and fair according to international and national observers.Fact|date=February 2007 Despite technically democratic elections, harassment of opposition had started months earlier in the form of disturbing of opposition campaign, detention of activists, rape and other criminal allegations against Besigye and use of state funds for electoral campaigning.Fact|date=February 2007

Executive

President
Yoweri Museveni
NRM
26 January 1986
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Vice President
Gilbert Bukenya
NRM
23 March 2003
-
Prime Minister
Apolo Nsibambi
NRM
5 April 1999The 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 last presidential elections were in February 2006. The cabinet is appointed by the president from among elected legislators. The prime minister, currently Apolo Nsibambi, assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet.

Ministries of Uganda

* [http://www.mofa.go.ug Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
* [http://www.justice.go.ug Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs]
*Ministry of Public Service
* [http://www.finance.go.ug Ministry of Finance. Planning, and Economic Development]
* [http://www.education.go.ug Ministry of Education and Sports]
* [http://www.molg.go.ug Ministry of Local Government]
* [http://www.health.go.ug Ministry of Health]
*Ministry of Works, Housing and Communications
*Ministry of Internal Affairs
*Ministry of Water and Environment
* [http://www.mglsd.go.ug Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development]
* [http://www.energyandminerals.go.ug Ministry of Energy and Minerals]
* [http://www.defenceuganda.mil.ug Ministry of Defense]
* [http://www.agriculture.go.ug Ministry of Agriculture, Animal, Husbandry and Fisheries]

Legislature

The National Assembly has 332 members. 215 members are elected directly - via universal adult suffrage - in single-seat constituencies. In addition, each of Uganda's 79 (soon to be 80) districts elects a Woman Representative via a direct vote, and 25 MPs are selected from so-called "special interest" groups via a complicated regional electoral college system. These special interest MPs include ten representatives of the UPDF (Uganda's Armed Forces), 5 youth representatives, 5 representatives of people with disabilities and 5 representing workers. Uganda's Parliamentary elections were held in March 2006, and the next will be contested in 2011.

Political parties and elections

On 4 May 2005, the Ugandan Parliament voted to conduct a referendum on the reintroduction of party politics in Uganda. The referendum was held on July 28, 2005 and Ugandans voted for a return to multi-party politics.

Judiciary

The Ugandan judiciary operates as an independent branch of government and consists of magistrate's courts, high courts, courts of appeal, 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.

Law

The Ugandan constitution was adopted on October 8 1995 by the interim, 284-member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993. Uganda's legal system since 1995 has been based on English common law and African customary law (customary law is in effect only when it does not conflict with statutory law). Law enforcement policy is decided by the Police Council, with a special force in charge of suppressing cattle theft. The system accepts compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction, with reservations.

Foreign relations

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. [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/03/20/uganda.libya/index.html]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, C, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

External links

* [http://www.parliament.go.ug/ Parliament of Uganda]
* [http://www.statehouse.go.ug/index.php State House of Uganda]
* [http://www.parliament.go.ug/Constitute.htm Constitution of the Republic of Uganda]
* [http://www.janda.org/ICPP/ICPP2000/Countries/9-CentralEastAfrica/98-Uganda/98-Uganda63-00.htm Party Politics in Uganda, 1963-2000] , Christina Nyströmee

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3493311.stm Uganda's opposition join forces] (BBC News, 16 February 2004)
* [http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs1217 "Uganda 'night commuters' flee rebel brutality"] (Yahoo News, October 17, 2005)