Government
The Rupublic of Uganda is ruled by a republic government. The administrative divisions are made up of the following 56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe.
Independence from the United Kingdom took place on 9 October 1962. The constitution was declared on 8 October 1995 adopted by the interim, 284 member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October 1995.
In 1995 the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law which accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; suffrage 18 years of age; universal.
The chief of state is President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note the president is both chief of state and head of government, the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet. The cabinet is appointed by the president from elected legislators. The president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held June 2006). The first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was held in 1996. Court of Appeal judges are appointed by the president and approved by the High Court. Only one political organization, the Movement (formerly the NRM)[President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate unfettered. The constitution requires the suspension of political parties while the Movement organization is in governance. The political parties that exist but are prohibited from sponsoring candidates,are the Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Milton OBOTE]; Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA]. Political pressure groups and leaders are Popular Resistance Against a Life President or PRALP.
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Military
Military branches: Ugandan Peoples' Defense Force (UPDF): Army, Marine Unit, Air Wing Military manpower have to be 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty; the government has stated that recruitment below that age could occur with proper consent and that no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces. Available military manpower males age 18 to 49 x 5,012,620 (2005 est.) Fit for military service manpower males age 18 to 49 x 2,889,808 (2005 est.) Military expenditures in USD170.3 million (2004) Military expenditures percent of GDP 2.2% (2004)
Last updated 26/05/2005.