President of Uganda
The president of the Republic of Uganda is the head of state and the head of government of Uganda. The president leads the executive branch of the government of Uganda and is the commander-in-chief of the Uganda People's Defence Force.
Background
The office of the president of Uganda was formed on 9th October 1962 to replace the queen of Uganda as head of state. It was entirely a ceremonial role i.e without executive powers during the time of the first holder Mutesa II of Buganda until the end of the Mengo Crisis in 1967 when Milton Obote took over ending the alliance between the Uganda People's Congress and the Kabaka Yekka parties combining the roles of prime minister and president and therefore creating the first president of Uganda with executive powers.The office has been held by 9 people, 8 of whom came into power through military coups and civil war.
The incumbent Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986 and is the longest serving president of Uganda, ahead of Idi Amin who ruled from 1971 to 1979.
Qualifications
In 2005 presidential term limits were removed, and in 2017, the previous upper age limit of 75 was also removed.Under Article 102 of the Constitution, in order to be allowed to run for the presidency one must be a citizen of Uganda by birth, be no younger than thirty-five and eligible to be a member of Parliament.