List of Presidents of Uganda: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Uganda from 1963 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 Uganda, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Uganda: Yoweri Museveni (in office since 1986).

Presidents of Uganda in order, with years in office

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.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Uganda

Who is the current president of Uganda?

The current president of Uganda is Yoweri Museveni, in office since 1986.

Who were the previous presidents of Uganda?

The presidents and heads of state of Uganda listed on this page, in order, are: Edward Mutesa II, Milton Obote, Idi Amin, Yusuf Lule, Godfrey Binaisa, Paulo Muwanga, Bazilio Olara-Okello, Tito Okello, Yoweri Museveni.

Who was the first president of Uganda?

Edward Mutesa II was the first president of Uganda, in office 1963–1966.

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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