Yoweri Kaguta Museveni became President of the Republic of Uganda on 29 January 1986 after leading a successful five-year liberation struggle.
Previous to the struggle of 1981-1986, Museveni had been one of the leaders in the anti-Amin resistance of 1971-1979.
Museveni has been politically active since his student days at Ntare School, Mbarara, in south west Uganda. He studied Political Science at the University of Dar-es-Salaam, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science.
After Idi Amin's coup in 1971, Museveni was instrumental in forming Fronasa (the Front for National Salvation). Fronasa made up the core of one of the Ugandan fighting groups which, together with the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces, ousted Idi Amin's regime in April 1979.
The President of Uganda was born in the early 1940s into a family of cattle keepers in Ankole, western Uganda. His name was taken from the Abasuveni, who were Ugandan servicemen in the Seventh Regiment of the Kings African rifles.
On 06 February 1981, Mr Museveni formed the National Resistance Army which took over power in January 1986 and introduced the Movement system of politics - described as a broad-based, alternate system of democracy in which people compete for political office on individual merit.
President Museveni has demonstrated that the immense development challenges of this century are not insurmountable. Leaders throughout the developed and developing world call on his counsel and ideas. He has also distinguished himself as Africa’s greatest champion of trade. He was the first Head of State to endorse the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and advocate for its extension in Congress.
Upon hosting the 16th Summit of the COMESA Heads of State and Governments, President Yoweri Museveni assumed the Chairmanship for 2012-2013.
He has emerged as one of the most significant leaders in the developing world. Under his helm, Uganda has distinguished itself as a model post-conflict reformer - leading the world in tackling HIV/AIDS, poverty, and illiteracy. Uganda, among the fastest growing economies in Africa, has maintained an average growth rate of 6.5 percent over the past ten years; reduced poverty from 56 percent to under 27 percent; decreased the rate of HIV/AIDS infection from 30 percent to six percent in 10 years; increased primary-level education from 40 percent to 99 percent in twelve years; and leads the developing world in empowering women.