Presidents of Uganda

Below are notable presidents of Uganda in chronological order, with the years each served and a brief summary.

Edward Mutesa II

Served: 1963–1966

King of Buganda and Uganda's first, largely ceremonial president; removed in 1966.

Milton Obote

Served: 1966–1971, 1980–1985

Seized the presidency in 1966; overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, returned after the 1980 election and was ousted again in 1985.

Idi Amin

Served: 1971–1979

Took power in a January 1971 coup and was driven out in April 1979 by Tanzanian forces and Ugandan exiles.

Yusuf Lule

Served: 1979

Held office for only about two months before being removed in June 1979.

Godfrey Binaisa

Served: 1979–1980

Former attorney general who served until he was deposed in May 1980.

Paulo Muwanga

Served: 1980

Held power briefly in 1980, before the elections that returned Obote.

Bazilio Olara-Okello

Served: 1985

Led the July 1985 coup against Obote and held the presidency from 27 to 29 July.

Tito Okello

Served: 1985–1986

Headed a military government until Museveni's forces took power in January 1986.

Yoweri Museveni

Served: 1986–present

President since 29 January 1986; sworn in for a seventh term on 12 May 2026.

Sources: Archontology.org, Uganda: Heads of State; Wikipedia, List of heads of state of Uganda; Reuters and Uganda government reports on the May 2026 swearing-in (checked Nov 2026).. Last reviewed November 2026.

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