Profile
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a man of strong convictions and rare courage. He
takes risks and pursues national interests above his personal comfort and safety. He is
a result-oriented leader, whose calling to politics is borne out of a deep and unwavering
commitment to finding lasting solutions to the challenges of society.
He displays exceptional understanding of the historical and social challenges of African
societies. This is what inspired his direct involvement in the liberation and emancipation of
his countrymen and women.
Museveni has been politically active since his school days. He started waking up
Banyankole from poverty as early as 1959 when he joined Mbarara High School. He strongly
discouraged nomadism. Later when he joined Ntare School, he doubled as president
of the debating society and scripture union. These helped perfect his convictions and
shaped him for leadership.
His political awareness and ideological orientation became more focused during the
three years (1967 to 1970) he spent at the University of Dar es Salaam. The university
provided a very conducive atmosphere for pan-Africanism and anti-imperialism. While
there, he became the president of the University Students’ African Revolutionary Front
(USARF), providing an opportunity for him to gain mentorship from President Julius Nyerere.
It is while at this university that he developed far-reaching pan-Africanist and revolutionary
ideas.
Museveni was instrumental in forming Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), which was
the core of Ugandan fighting groups that, together with the Tanzanian People’s Defence
Forces, ousted Idi Amin’s regime in April 1979.
On 29th January 1986, Museveni became President of the Republic of Uganda after
leading a protracted five-year liberation struggle. This was a people’s resistance, with no
external base, relying entirely on popular community support, to save their country from
total collapse and abuse of the dignity of human life.