The fight for self-rule in Uganda brought about many political parties in the 1950s. Among these are as follows: the Uganda National Congress, the Uganda People’s Congress, the Democratic Party, and the Kabaka Yekka, which later became the Conservative Party.1

f the country. This paper will discuss the background, governmental structure, and political issues of Uganda to inform the reader, and to determine whether Uganda is a democratic form of government.

The United States has had no significant interests in Uganda, although many firms did profitable business with the country during Idi Amin's reign. For the most part, the United States has maintained a low profile in Uganda while offering a small economic assistance program in return for support on issues brought up in the UN. Uganda, has adhered to a similar policy with the United States, which allowed them to criticize the US for military action in Vietnam, while still persuading the US to expand its assistance and support an increase in Uganda's coffee quota. The US Embassy in Uganda closed in November of 1973, but firms still remained and supplied the government with security equipment used by the army. In 1978, all US trade with Uganda was put to an end until Amin was overthrown in 1979. Immediately following the overthrow, the Embassy was reopened and provided emergency relief particularly food, medical supplies, and small farm supplies. Despite strains under Idi Amin's rule and then Milton Obote's presidency, all relations have been restored to a good nature.3

The Executive Branch consists primarily of the President who acts as Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of Uganda. The constitution requires the President to be a citizen by birth, not less than thirty-five years of age and no more than seventy-five years of age, and meet all the qualifications to be a Member of Parliament. During the Presidency, the President cannot be liable to any proceedings in court. To be nominated for the Presidency, one must attain one hundred votes in each of at least two-thirds of the districts in Uganda. A simple majority elects the President, and if there is no simple majority, there is a runoff, in which the candidates with the two highest percentages of votes are the only two candidates in the election. There is a vice president of Uganda, who is appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament. The President, just as he appoints a vice president, can also revoke his appointment. The vice president’s duties are assigned by the President entirely. If the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the vice president takes his place and another election is held six months after the death of the President. The executive cabinet consists of the President, vice president, and any number of Ministers the President deems necessary for the efficient running of the state. The Cabinet determines, formulates, and implements the policy of the government. The Secretary of the Cabinet, who oversees the matters discussed in the Cabinet, and all Cabinet Ministers are appointed by the President. Various other Ministers may be appointed by the President as he sees necessary. A large duty of the President is to make treaties, conventions, agreements, or any other arrangements between Uganda and another nation, or between Uganda and any international organization. Parliament has no power to regulate these treaties and agreements. The President has th

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