Uganda's modified parliamentary form of government was suspended after a 1985 coup. A new constitution, enacted in October 1995, officially prohibits political parties until the year 2000, but allowed for nonparty presidential and legislative elections in 1996.
Executive
Before the 1985 coup the leader of the principal party in the National Assembly became Uganda's president. Under the 1995 constitution the president is directly elected for five years, with no term limit.
Legislature
The unicameral National Assembly of 126 popularly elected members was dissolved after the 1985 coup. The National Resistance Council was established in 1986; following elections in 1989, the council consisted of 210 elected and 68 appointed members. Under the 1995 constitution a new legislative body is scheduled to be elected by popular vote in June 1996.
Political Parties
While parliamentary government functioned, the leading political organizations were the Uganda People's Congress (founded 1960), which favored mildly socialist policies; the Democratic Party (1953), a moderate grouping; the Uganda Patriotic Movement (1980), concerned particularly with ending civil violence in the country; and the Conservative Party (1979). Since 1986 Uganda has upheld “no-party” politics.
Judiciary
The highest tribunals of Uganda are the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The country also has magistrates' courts.
Local Government
Uganda is divided into 39 districts. The districts are grouped into four geographical regions.
Defense
The Ugandan army was reorganized in the early 1980s. Discipline remained lax, however, and the government acknowledged in 1984 that unauthorized troop activities had caused the deaths of thousands of civilians. The regular army was absorbed into the National Resistance Army after the latter took power in January 1986. The army had about 70,000 members in 1993. In 1994, however, in an effort to reduce the military budget, 10,000 soldiers were given an early pension. Other Links on Ugandas politics