Uganda

J

Communications

The government operates Radio Uganda, which broadcasts in English, French, Arabic, and several African languages, and a national television system that serves an estimated 610,000 receivers. Since media control was relaxed in 1993, a number of independent television and radio stations have opened. About 46,000 telephones are in use; a programme to expand the telecommunications network through privatization is expected to more than treble the number of telephone lines by 2002. The official government daily newspaper is New Vision, published in Kampala; in total there are 2 daily newspapers, as well as several weekly newspapers and magazines.

V

Government

Uganda’s modified parliamentary form of democratic government was suspended after a 1985 military coup. Since 1986 the government has been dominated by the National Resistance Movement (NRM; the political wing of the National Resistance Army), led by Yoweri Museveni. A return to civilian rule at an unspecified date has been promised. As part of this process, discussions on a new constitution began in 1993. The National Resistance Council (NRC), which consisted of 278 members in 1989, was dissolved in 1996 to prepare for elections of a new legislature; it is still dominated by the NRM. Ugandans voted to retain a “no-party” system after a national referendum on the issue in 2000.

A

Executive and Legislature

Since 1986 Museveni has been President of Uganda, and as such head of state and head of government. The president is elected for a five-year term by the interim legislature, the NRC, and is assisted by the prime minister and Cabinet. The Cabinet is appointed by the president.

Since 1986 the NRC has acted as the legislature, pending the introduction of a new multi-party constitution. The NRC comprised 210 elected and 68 presidentially appointed members. The first elections for the council were held in 1989; in March 1994, elections were held for a 214-seat Constituent Assembly, which was formed primarily to debate and finalize a new constitution, which was adopted in 1995. The National Parliament consists of 292 members, 214 elected without party-label in single-seat constituencies, 53 seats are reserved for women, and 25 for representatives of the armed forces, the disabled, youths, and workers.

B

Political Parties

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is the dominant political party in Uganda. While parliamentary government functioned, the leading political organizations were the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC; founded 1960), the Democratic Party (DP; 1953), the Uganda People’s Democratic Movement (UPDM; 1980), and the Conservative Party (1979). Since 1980, political parties have been allowed to exist, but not to campaign, under the 1986 ban on political activity. The UPC, the DP, and the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) are junior partners in the coalition government dominated by the NRM. The UPDM is one of the parties operating in exile. In 2003 the national conference of the NRM called for freedom of operation for all political parties.

C

Judiciary

The highest tribunal in Uganda is the Supreme Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from the high court, presided over by the chief justice and 29 other judges. The country also has magistrates’ courts with different areas of jurisdiction depending on the grade of magistrate.