Museveni, Yoweri Kaguta (1945– )

Ugandan soldier and politician, president from 1986. He led the opposition to Idi Amin's brutal and autocratic regime 1971–79, and became minister of defence 1979–80. As president, Museveni sought national reconciliation and developed a ‘no-party’ state, in which political party activity and political gatherings were banned. The economy expanded through an economic liberalization programme, with International Monetary Fund (IMF) backing and the privatization of state enterprises. There have also been successes in improving education, reducing poverty, and slowing rates of HIV infection through a successful campaign against AIDS. But Uganda also became involved in civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other regional conflicts, and faced a rebellion in the north which caused a humanitarian crisis. Museveni was popularly re-elected in 2001 and 2006, after the constitution was amended to allow him to stand for a third presidential term. In 2005, a number of European countries cut back foreign aid to Uganda because of concern over mounting human rights abuses and corruption.

In 1971, from exile in Tanzania, Museveni formed the Front for National Salvation to fight against Idi Amin. In 1979 the Front supported Tanzania's military invasion of Uganda which overthrew Amin. In the 1980 elections he led the Uganda Patriotic Movement which unsuccessfully challenged Milton Obote. Unhappy with Obote's autocratic leadership, he formed the National Resistance Army (NRA), which spearheaded a rural-based guerrilla rebellion. With virtual war breaking out in Uganda from 1982, after Tanzanian troops withdrew, Museveni and subsequently the NRA fought to remove Obote from power, which was achieved in 1985. Museveni entered into a brief power-sharing agreement with Tito Okello before taking over as president in 1986.

Born in Ankole, Western Uganda, Museveni was educated in Uganda and at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, studying economics and political science. He became research assistant to President Obote, until Obote's overthrow by Idi Amin in 1971.