List of Presidents of Uzbekistan: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Uzbekistan from 1990 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Uzbekistan, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Uzbekistan: Shavkat Mirziyoyev (in office since 2016).

Presidents of Uzbekistan in order, with years in office

Islam Karimov

Served: 1990–2016

First president; became president of the Uzbek SSR in March 1990, led the country to independence in 1991 and died in office on 2 September 2016.

Nigmatilla Yuldashev

Served: 2016 (acting)

As Senate chairman he was constitutionally next in line after Karimov's death and is listed as acting president until 8 September 2016, when a joint session of parliament named Shavkat Mirziyoyev interim president.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Served: 2016–present

Prime minister from 2003; named interim president on 8 September 2016, elected in December 2016, and re-elected in 2021 and 2023 (the presidential term is now seven years).

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Uzbekistan

Who is the current president of Uzbekistan?

The current head of state of Uzbekistan is Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in office since 2016.

Who were the previous presidents of Uzbekistan?

The presidents and heads of state of Uzbekistan listed on this page, in order, are: Islam Karimov, Nigmatilla Yuldashev, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Who was the first president of Uzbekistan?

Islam Karimov was the first president of Uzbekistan, in office 1990–2016.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Uzbekistan and List of leaders of Uzbekistan; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on the September 2016 succession; president.uz and Trend reports confirming Mirziyoyev in office in October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Presidents since the office was created in the Uzbek SSR in 1990.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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