Official name

Republic of Uganda

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on English common law and the 1995 constitution

National legislature

Parliament of Uganda; 319 members: 215 are elected by universal suffrage; the remainder represent special interest groups, including the army, women, workers, youth and the disabled; all serve five years

National elections

February 2011 (presidential and legislative); next elections are scheduled to take place in February 2016

Head of state

President, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term

National government

The president and his appointed cabinet; a new government was announced in May 2006, following the February elections; last reshuffle February 2009

Main political parties

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) dominates the political scene and has a large parliamentary majority; the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) emerged from within the NRM and is now the largest opposition party; the other main opposition parties, the Democratic Party (DP) and the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), have declined in popularity

President & commander-in-chief: Yoweri Museveni

Vice-president: Gilbert Bukenya

Prime minister: Apollo Nsibambi

First deputy prime minister & minister for East African affairs: Eriya Kategaya

Second deputy prime minister & minister of public service: Henry Kajura

Third deputy prime minister & minister of internal affairs: Kirunda Kivejinja

Key ministers

Agriculture, animal industries & fisheries: Hope Mwesigye

Defence: Crispus Kiyonga

Education & sports: Geraldine Bitamazire

Energy & minerals development: Hilary Onek

Finance, planning & economic development: Syda Bbumba

Foreign affairs: Sam Kutesa

Gender, labour & social development: Gabriel Opio

Health: Stephen Mallinga

Information & national guidance: Matsiko Kabakumba

Justice & attorney-general: Khiddu Makubya

Local government: Adolf Mwesigye

Security: Amama Mbabazi

Trade, tourism & industry: Kahinda Otafiire

Water & environment: Maria Mutagamba

Without portfolio: Dorothy Hyuha

Works & transport: John Nasasira

Central bank governor

Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile