It was entirely a ceremonial role i.e without executive powers during the time of the first holder Mutesa II of Bugandauntil the end of the Mengo Crisis in 1967 when Milton Obote took over ending the alliance between the Uganda People’s Congress and the Kabaka Yekka parties combining the roles of Prime minister and president and therefore creating the first president of Uganda with executive powers.

The office has been held by 9 people, 8 of whom (besides Edward Muteesa) came into power through military coups and civil war.

The incumbent Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986 and is the longest serving president of Uganda, ahead of Idi Amin who ruled from 1971 to 1979.

[4] Under Article 102 of the Constitution, in order to be allowed to run for the presidency one must be a citizen of Uganda by birth, be no younger than thirty-five and eligible to be a member of Parliament.

The main State House was constructed in 1925 during the governorship of sir Geoffrey Archer at Entebbe the then capital to serve as the official residence of the Governor of Uganda.