In pre-
colonial times there were four kingdoms,
Buganda,
Toro,
Bunyoro, and
Ankole. The largest, Buganda, the home of the
Baganda people, who speak
Luganda, was ruled by a
kabaka.
On independence the Kabaka, Sir Edward Frederick Mutesa (popularly known as King Freddie) became governor-general, and Milton Obote prime minister. Obote overthrew him in 1966, abolished the historic kingdoms, and declared a republic. The presidents have been
- Milton Obote 1966-1971
- Idi Amin Dada 1971-1979
- Yusufu Lule 1979
- Godfrey Binaisa 1979-1980
- Paulo Muwanga 1980-1981
- Milton Obote again 1981-1985
- Tito Okello 1985-1986
- Yoweri Museveni 1986-
Lule and Binaisa were
technocrats installed by
Tanzania after their troops toppled Amin. Muwanga and Museveni were leaders of a
military coup that paved the way for the re-election of Obote. Okello was another military ruler who took power after Obote's rule became as
tyrannical as Amin. He was in turn swept from power when Museveni's
National Resistance Army moved in from the north.
The capital is Kampala and the currency is the shilling.