Politics of Uganda
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. 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. Since 2006, Museveni has used legal means, patronage, and violence to maintain power.
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.
Political culture
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. 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.
Executive
Ministries of Uganda
The below are the ministries in Uganda:- 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
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
In this 2021 election, the pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine was runner-up and challenged the election results in the country's highest court, seeking to overturn Museveni's victory. 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.
The results of the most recent presidential election from 2021 are as below: