complicated history

Uganda at 60: Ten key events since independence in 1962

By Musinguzi Blanshe

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Posted on October 7, 2022 04:23

 © Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, in his trademark hat. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, in his trademark hat. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Uganda celebrates its 60th independence on Sunday 9 October, enjoying the tranquility brought by the Yoweri Museveni regime that has been in power since 1986. However, some critics now argue that peace has turned into stagnation.

Peace in all corners of the country was achieved in the first decade of the 21st century after the defeat of the lethal Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebel movement, led by Joseph Kony, was preceded by decades of political instability and economic stagnation.

We list the events and factors that have shaped Uganda’s six decades of independence.

1. Post-independence government that didn’t hold up

The British governed Uganda through divide and rule, thus there were no opportunities that would have left the country’s tribal groupings to build synergies for post-independence unity. However, at independence, the colonialists desired to bequeath Ugandans a strong and united country. The British crafted a constitution that brought monarchical leaders and politicians together, with the former holding ceremonial positions.

Uganda’s first independence president, Sir Edward Mutesa II, was the king of

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