The Commonwealth realm of Uganda, officially known as "Uganda", was a predecessor to the modern-day Uganda. It existed between 1962 and 1963.
When British rule ended in 1962, the Uganda Independence Act 1963 transformed the Uganda Protectorate into the independent sovereign Commonwealth realm. Uganda shared the Sovereign, Elizabeth II, with the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Uganda. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701.
While a Commonwealth realm, Uganda retained the British monarch as head of state. The monarch was represented in Uganda by a Governor-General. The following Governors-General held office:
- Sir Walter Coutts (9 October 1962 - 9 October 1963)
Milton Obote held office as prime minister (and head of government) of Uganda during this period.
Uganda adopted a new constitution in 1963 which abolished the monarchy. Uganda became a republic within the Commonwealth. However, the new Ugandan state was deliberately not referred to as a republic, and the constituent native kingdoms (such as Buganda) continued in existence. Following the abolition of the monarchy by the proclamation of the State of Uganda on 9 October 1963, the Kabaka (King) of Uganda, Edward Mutesa II, became the first President of Uganda. The description "State" implied that the post-Commonwealth realm was not a republic but instead a "federation of tribal kingdoms". Uganda did not become a republic de jure until 1966 with Obote's conflict with President Edward Mutesa II.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Uganda in 1954, then as Head of the Commonwealth in 2007.
References
External links
- http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Uganda.html
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/uganda/00_1962_1963_s.php
- http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Uganda.htm
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/.../uganda-independence-bill
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1964/mar/10/uganda-bill#S5LV0256P0_19640310_HOL_65