Presidential Commission of Uganda

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Presidential Commission of Uganda
Agency overview
FormedMay 22, 1980
DissolvedDecember 15, 1980
JurisdictionUganda
HeadquartersKampala, Uganda
Agency executive
Parent agencyGovernment of Uganda

The Presidential Commission of Uganda was a transitional governing body in Uganda that operated from May 22 to December 15, 1980, following the overthrow of President Godfrey Binaisa. Chaired by Paulo Muwanga, the commission served as the de facto executive authority as the office of President of Uganda during a turbulent period in Uganda’s history, bridging the gap between Binaisa’s presidency and the general election that restored Milton Obote to power. The commission was established to stabilize the country amid political instability and to oversee the controversial 1980 election, which sparked significant unrest. [1] [2]

Contents

Composition and Role

The Presidential Commission was a six-member body, with Paulo Muwanga as its chairman. Other members included key political and military figures. The commission’s primary role was to govern Uganda during the transitional period, managing state affairs and preparing for the December 1980 general election. As head of the commission, Muwanga wielded significant influence, overseeing both executive and electoral processes. The commission operated under the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF), a coalition formed to unify opposition groups after Amin’s fall. [3]

It was composed as follows:

Leaders and member Interim Government of Presidential Commission of Uganda[ citation needed ]

#PositionNameInauguratedLeft Office
National Resistance Army
Godfrey Binaisa 5 May 19805 May 1980
1Chairmen (rotating monthly) Paulo Muwanga 5 May 198012 May 1980
2 Yoweri Museveni May 1980May 1980
3 Oyite-Ojok May 1980May 1980
4 Tito Okello May 1980May 1980
5 Zeddy Maruru May 1980May 1980
William Omaria May 198022 May 1980
Steven Kashaka 22 May 198022 May 1980
6 Joram Mugume 22 May 198022 May 1980
Pecos Kuteesa 22 May 198022 May 1980
Smith Open Acak 22 May 198022 May 1980
Presidential Commission of Uganda
7 Saulo Musoke 22 May 198015 December 1980
8 Polycarp Nyamuchoncho 22 May 198015 December 1980
9 Yoweri Hunter Wacha-Olwol 22 May 198015 December 1980
Presidential Commission of Uganda
10 Milton Obote 15 December 198015 December 1980

1980 General Election

The commission’s most significant responsibility was overseeing the general election held on December 10, 1980. Muwanga, as head of the Electoral Commission, declared the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), led by Milton Obote, the winner, securing Obote’s return to the presidency. However, the election was marred by allegations of fraud, including ballot stuffing and voter intimidation, leading to widespread controversy. Opposition groups, particularly Yoweri Museveni’s Uganda Patriotic Movement, rejected the results, claiming the commission manipulated the outcome to favor Obote. This dissatisfaction fueled the Ugandan Bush War, a guerrilla conflict led by Museveni that eventually toppled Obote’s government in 1986. [4]

The commission dissolved on December 15, 1980, when Obote assumed the presidency. [5] [6]

See also

References

  1. Writer, JAVIRA SSEBWAMI (2019-09-08). "ARCHIVE: Museveni takes centre stage as Military Commission takes charge of Uganda affairs". PML Daily. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  2. report, Jay Ross (1980-05-14). "Military Commission Forms New Government in Uganda". The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  3. "Uganda: A History of Political Turmoil". Council on Foreign Relations. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  4. "Why Museveni's UPM party lost the 1980 election". Monitor. 2021-01-09. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  5. "The Political History of Uganda: From Independence to Museveni". Institute for Security Studies. 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  6. "Obote regains Uganda presidency but disputes, challenges remain". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN   0882-7729 . Retrieved 2025-06-25.

Sources

Political offices
Preceded by President of Uganda
22 May – 15 December 1980
Succeeded by