Uganda gains independence

Updated: 9 Oct 2025

The East African country Uganda gained independence from Great Britain as a parliamentary democratic monarchy with traditional kingdoms Ankole, Buganda, Bunyoro and Toro receiving federal status and a degree of autonomy. Buganda, under the leadership of Sir Edward Mutesa, was the most powerful kingdom. Milton Obote the leader of the socialist Uganda People's Congress (UPC) became the first prime minister of the newly independent Uganda. In 1963, Uganda became the Republic of Uganda, with Mutesa II as first (largely ceremonial) president.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 9 Oct 2025

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Uganda gains independence. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011967

South African History Online (2011) 'Uganda gains independence', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011967 (Accessed: 9 October 2026).

South African History Online, Uganda gains independence [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011967, (accessed 9 October 2026).

"Uganda gains independence." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011967. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Uganda gains independence." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011967.