Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/01. Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Uganda (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (32 Milestones)
1300 CE
Bunyoro-Kitara Empire rises
The Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom emerges as a dominant power in the Great Lakes region, controlling trade and territory across what is now western Uganda. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Flag By Kasaijaivan - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92436007
1400 CE
Buganda Kingdom founded
The Buganda kingdom coalesces along the northern shores of Lake Victoria, eventually becoming the most powerful polity in the region. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Buganda Kingdom founded By Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=402812
1844 CE
Arab traders reach Buganda
Arab and Swahili traders from the East African coast arrive in Buganda, introducing Islam and new trade goods to the interior. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Idi Amin wanted to build the largest mosque in Africa but the never finished it. Gaddafi gave the money for it a couple of years ago. By Laika ac from USA - Gaddafi National Mosque, Kampala, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31725121
Jul 28, 1862 CE
Speke reaches Ripon Falls
British explorer John Hanning Speke identifies Ripon Falls as the outflow of the Nile from Lake Victoria, claiming discovery of the river's source. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
John Hanning Speke (1827-1864) By Southwell Brothers - one or more third parties have made copyright claims against Wikimedia Commons in relation to the work from which this is sourced or a purely mechanical reproduction thereof. This may be due to recognition of the "sweat of the brow" doctrine, allowing works to be eligible for protection through skill and labour, and not purely by originality as is the case in the United States (where this website is hosted). These claims may or may not be valid in all jurisdictions. As such, use of this image in the jurisdiction of the claimant or other countries may be regarded as copyright infringement. Please see Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16971284
Jul 30, 1877 CE
Protestant missionaries arrive
The first Christian missionaries of the Church Missionary Society reach Buganda at the invitation of Kabaka Mutesa I, beginning formal Christian evangelization. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Oct 9, 1884 CE
Kabaka Mutesa I dies
Kabaka Mutesa I of Buganda dies, leaving a succession struggle that intensifies religious rivalries among Muslim, Protestant, and Catholic factions. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Mteza By Unknown author - http://4dw.net/royalark/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21926844
1890 CE
Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty signed
Britain and Germany sign a treaty placing Buganda and surrounding territories within the British sphere of influence in East Africa. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Helgoland Besitzergreifung durch S.M. Kaiser Wilhelm II., Parademarsch, 10. August 1890 By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5419879
Jun 18, 1894 CE
Uganda Protectorate proclaimed
Britain formally declares the Uganda Protectorate, establishing colonial administration over Buganda and neighboring territories. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag and government ensign of the Uganda Protectorate (1914-1962). By Sodacan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18900232
Mar 10, 1900 CE
Buganda Agreement signed
The Buganda Agreement between British officials and Baganda chiefs defines land tenure, taxation, and the political relationship between Buganda and the colonial government. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
1906 CE
Kings College Budo founded
Kings College Budo, one of Uganda's most prestigious secondary schools, is established to educate the sons of chiefs and the emerging elite. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
H.M. commissioner George Wilson is at the center, with young native king {{<|Daudi Cwa II of Buganda|Daudi Chwa}} besides him, along with the Bishop Tucker at the far right, and various other British officials and county native chiefs. By C. W. Hattersley - https://archive.org/details/bagandaathome00cwha/page/176/mode/2up, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122889649
1922 CE
Makerere College established
Makerere College is founded as a technical school and later grows into the premier institution of higher learning in East Africa. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Makerere University tower By OER Africa - https://www.flickr.com/photos/oerafrica/7683592892, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42892400
1930 CE
Sleeping sickness epidemic rages
Outbreaks of sleeping sickness devastate lakeshore communities, prompting colonial authorities to relocate populations and restrict settlement in affected zones. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Trypanosoma forms in blood smear from patient with African trypanosomiasis. Parasite. By Photo Credit: Content Providers: CDC/Dr. Myron G. Schultz - This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #613. Note: Not all PHIL images are public domain; be sure to check copyright status and credit authors and content providers. العربية | Deutsch | English | македонски | slovenščina | +/−, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=740877
1945 CE
Ugandan troops serve in WWII
Thousands of Ugandan soldiers serve in the King's African Rifles during World War II, fighting in Burma and other theaters, broadening political awareness at home. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Soldiers of the King's African Rifles training in the Kenyan bush. Caption: ASIKARI MSITUNI WANATEZAMA MAADUI By Charlesdrakew - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5890255
Nov 30, 1953 CE
Kabaka Mutesa II exiled
The British exile Kabaka Mutesa II after he refuses to support an East African federation, sparking widespread protest and the Kabaka Crisis. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Sir. Edward Fredrick Mutesa, The President of Uganda. in a Uganda Independence Anniversary 1964 Magazine By Unknown author - Uganda Independence Anniversary 1964 Magazine via hipuganda.org, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=165973505
Oct 17, 1955 CE
Kabaka returns to Buganda
Following negotiations, Kabaka Mutesa II returns from exile under a new agreement that restores limited autonomy to Buganda within the protectorate. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Oct 9, 1962 CE
Uganda gains independence
Uganda becomes an independent nation within the Commonwealth, with Milton Obote as prime minister and Mutesa II as president. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Feb 22, 1966 CE
Obote suspends constitution
Prime Minister Milton Obote suspends the constitution, abrogates Buganda's autonomy, and orders the army to attack the Kabaka's palace, forcing Mutesa II into exile. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Sep 8, 1967 CE
Kingdoms abolished
A new republican constitution abolishes all traditional kingdoms and centralizes power under President Milton Obote. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Jan 25, 1971 CE
Idi Amin seizes power
Army commander Idi Amin ousts Milton Obote in a military coup while Obote is abroad, beginning one of Africa's most brutal dictatorships. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Aug 4, 1972 CE
Asians expelled from Uganda
Idi Amin orders the expulsion of approximately 80,000 South Asians, devastating the economy and uprooting a community central to commerce and industry. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aziaten die Oeganda uitgewezen zijn op Schiphol, groep Aziaten na aankomst Datum : 24 november 1972 Locatie : Noord-Holland, Schiphol Trefwoorden : aankomsten, families Persoonsnaam : Aziaten Fotograaf : Verhoeff, Bert / Anefo Auteursrechthebbende : Nationaal Archief Materiaalsoort : Negatief (zwart/wit) Nummer archiefinventaris : bekijk toegang 2.24.01.05 Bestanddeelnummer : 926-0503 By Bert Verhoeff for Anefo - http://proxy.handle.net/10648/abff61cc-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67390440
Jul 4, 1976 CE
Entebbe hostage rescue
Israeli commandos rescue over 100 hostages held at Entebbe Airport by Palestinian and German hijackers, a dramatic operation that embarrasses the Amin regime. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Commandos from Sayeret Matkal with the Mercedes they used to deceive the Ugandans (Photo IDF Spokesman). By IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer - This file contains IDF content and released by the Israeli Defence Forces Spokesperson's Unit.To view all images uploaded courtesy of IDF Spokesperson's Unit This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85773091
Oct 30, 1978 CE
Tanzania-Uganda War begins
Following Ugandan incursions into Tanzanian territory, Tanzania launches a counter-offensive that eventually topples Idi Amin from power. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Map of battles of the Uganda–Tanzania War. By Goran tek-en, following request by Indy beetle - Own work This file was derived from: Libyan troop movements in Uganda, 1979.svg Information from: Vita vya Kagera : Kagera hadi Arua by Leutenant Kanali J. F. Ngatuni, Major A. N. Kigadye, and Captain M. A. I. Ghahae (1982), page 23. Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948-1991 by Kenneth M. Pollack (2004), pages 369–371. Indy beetle, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76293102
Apr 11, 1979 CE
Amin regime falls
Tanzanian forces and Ugandan exiles capture Kampala, ending Idi Amin's rule and installing a provisional government under Yusuf Lule. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Dec 10, 1980 CE
Obote returns to power
Controversial elections return Milton Obote to the presidency, but disputed results fuel the emergence of armed insurgencies including Yoweri Museveni's NRA. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Coat of Arms of the of Uganda “ An achievement was adopted by the National Council, three weeks before the proclamation of independence. On 1 October 1962 it was approved by the Governor and fixed by law on 9 October. The achievement is: Arms.: Sable, upon the fess point a sun in splendour and in base a Uganda drum Or, the skin and guy ropes Argent, a chief barry wavy of six Azure and Argent. Behind the shield two Uganda spears of estate in saltire proper. Supporters: Dexter a male Uganda kob (Adenota kob thomasi - Bovidæ); sinister, a crested crane (Balearica pavonina gibberifrons - Balearicidæ), both proper. Compartment: A grassy mount down the centre of which flows a river, between dexter a sprig of coffee and in sinister a sprig of cotton, both leaved and fructed proper. Motto: FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY. ” By Sodacan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18828670
Feb 6, 1981 CE
NRA bush war launched
Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Army begins a guerrilla war against the Obote government from rural strongholds in the Luweero Triangle. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Cropped version of Bundesarchiv Bild 183-76054-0003, Leipzig, Kenia-Tag, Gerald Götting.jpg By Helmut Schaar - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6459518
Jan 26, 1986 CE
Museveni takes power
NRA forces capture Kampala, and Yoweri Museveni is sworn in as president, beginning a period of relative stability and economic recovery. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
1987 CE
LRA insurgency begins
Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army launches a brutal insurgency in northern Uganda, abducting children and displacing over a million people over two decades. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Returned weapons and ammunition by LRA defectors in Obo, 2015 By UN Security Council - https://www.undocs.org/S/2015/936, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110625199
Oct 8, 1995 CE
New constitution enacted
Uganda adopts a new constitution establishing a no-party system and restoring some traditional cultural institutions, though not political kingdoms. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Coat of Arms of the of Uganda “ An achievement was adopted by the National Council, three weeks before the proclamation of independence. On 1 October 1962 it was approved by the Governor and fixed by law on 9 October. The achievement is: Arms.: Sable, upon the fess point a sun in splendour and in base a Uganda drum Or, the skin and guy ropes Argent, a chief barry wavy of six Azure and Argent. Behind the shield two Uganda spears of estate in saltire proper. Supporters: Dexter a male Uganda kob (Adenota kob thomasi - Bovidæ); sinister, a crested crane (Balearica pavonina gibberifrons - Balearicidæ), both proper. Compartment: A grassy mount down the centre of which flows a river, between dexter a sprig of coffee and in sinister a sprig of cotton, both leaved and fructed proper. Motto: FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY. ” By Sodacan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18828670
Oct 1, 2000 CE
Ebola outbreak strikes north
An outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Gulu district kills over 170 people, one of the largest Ebola epidemics recorded in Africa at the time. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Flag of Uganda By tobias - From the Open ClipArt Library website., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=433085
Jul 11, 2010 CE
Kampala bombings
Al-Shabaab suicide bombers attack crowds watching the World Cup final in Kampala, killing 74 people and marking Uganda's entry as a target of international terrorism. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Map showing the two locations of the July 2010 Kampala attacks By OpenStreetMap, plus modifications by User:LobStoR - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10907346
Feb 24, 2014 CE
Anti-Homosexuality Act signed
President Museveni signs a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality, drawing international condemnation and later being annulled by the Constitutional Court. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Coat of Arms of the of Uganda “ An achievement was adopted by the National Council, three weeks before the proclamation of independence. On 1 October 1962 it was approved by the Governor and fixed by law on 9 October. The achievement is: Arms.: Sable, upon the fess point a sun in splendour and in base a Uganda drum Or, the skin and guy ropes Argent, a chief barry wavy of six Azure and Argent. Behind the shield two Uganda spears of estate in saltire proper. Supporters: Dexter a male Uganda kob (Adenota kob thomasi - Bovidæ); sinister, a crested crane (Balearica pavonina gibberifrons - Balearicidæ), both proper. Compartment: A grassy mount down the centre of which flows a river, between dexter a sprig of coffee and in sinister a sprig of cotton, both leaved and fructed proper. Motto: FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY. ” By Sodacan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18828670
May 26, 2024 CE
Anti-gay law upheld partially
The Constitutional Court upholds much of a new Anti-Homosexuality Act, maintaining severe restrictions amid ongoing international criticism. Source — Wikipedia, "Uganda":
Coat of Arms of the of Uganda “ An achievement was adopted by the National Council, three weeks before the proclamation of independence. On 1 October 1962 it was approved by the Governor and fixed by law on 9 October. The achievement is: Arms.: Sable, upon the fess point a sun in splendour and in base a Uganda drum Or, the skin and guy ropes Argent, a chief barry wavy of six Azure and Argent. Behind the shield two Uganda spears of estate in saltire proper. Supporters: Dexter a male Uganda kob (Adenota kob thomasi - Bovidæ); sinister, a crested crane (Balearica pavonina gibberifrons - Balearicidæ), both proper. Compartment: A grassy mount down the centre of which flows a river, between dexter a sprig of coffee and in sinister a sprig of cotton, both leaved and fructed proper. Motto: FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY. ” By Sodacan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18828670
![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ] Beschrijving : Aziaten die Oeganda uitgewezen zijn op Schiphol, groep Aziaten na aankomst Datum : 24 november 1972 Locatie : Noord-Holland, Schiphol Trefwoorden : aankomsten, families Persoonsnaam : Aziaten Fotograaf : Verhoeff, Bert / Anefo Auteursrechthebbende : Nationaal Archief Materiaalsoort : Negatief (zwart/wit) Nummer archiefinventaris : bekijk toegang 2.24.01.05 Bestanddeelnummer : 926-0503](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Aziaten_die_Oeganda_uitgewezen_zijn_op_Schiphol%2C_groep_Aziaten_na_aankomst%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-0503.jpg/500px-Aziaten_die_Oeganda_uitgewezen_zijn_op_Schiphol%2C_groep_Aziaten_na_aankomst%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-0503.jpg)
