Historical Timeline

Timeline of Uganda

17 dated events spanning the recorded history of Uganda.

Chronology

17 events spanning the history of Uganda. BCE/CE dating.

500 BCE – 1300
Bantu-speaking people migrate to the region. They establish the state of Buganda.
Bantu-speaking people migrate to the region. They establish the state of Buganda.
1700
Buganda begins to expand at the expense of Bunyoro.
Buganda begins to expand at the expense of Bunyoro.
1840
Muslim traders from the Indian Ocean coast exchange slaves of Buganda.
Muslim traders from the Indian Ocean coast exchange firearms, cloth and beads for the ivory and slaves of Buganda.
1862
British explorer John Hanning Speke becomes the first European to visit Buganda.
British explorer John Hanning Speke becomes the first European to visit Buganda.
1875
Bugandan King Mutesa I allows Christian missionaries to enter his realm.
Bugandan King Mutesa I allows Christian missionaries to enter his realm.
1890
Britain and Germany sign treaty giving Britain rights to what was to become Uganda.
Britain and Germany sign treaty giving Britain rights to what was to become Uganda.
1894 – 1900
Britain takes control of the area, calling it Uganda.
Britain takes control of the area, calling it Uganda. Britain recognizes the kabaka, or Buganda tribal king, as ruler, but maintains its authority.
1904
Commercial cultivation of cotton begins.
Commercial cultivation of cotton begins.
1958
Uganda given internal self-government.
Uganda given internal self-government.
1962
Uganda gains independence after nearly 70 years of British rule.
Uganda gains independence after nearly 70 years of British rule. Uganda is admitted as a member State to the United Nations.

1967
A new constitution came into effect which made Uganda a republic.
A new constitution came into effect which made Uganda a republic.
1972 – 1973
Uganda engages in border clashes with Tanzania.
Uganda engages in border clashes with Tanzania.
1979
Tanzania invades Uganda.
Tanzania invades Uganda, unifying the various anti-Amin forces under the Uganda National Liberation Front and forcing Amin to flee the country; Yusufu Lule installed as president, but is quickly replaced by Godfrey Binaisa.
1986
Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Army takes power.
After years of civil war in which hundreds of thousands are either killed or are displaced; Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Army takes power. Under his leadership, Uganda has steadily achieved economic growth, the rebuilding of the shattered infrastructure, a free press and judiciary, and peace in most part of the country.
1996
Uganda held its first presidential election in sixteen years.
Uganda held its first presidential election in sixteen years and President Yoweri Museveni won in excess of 78% of the vote.
2001
Uganda classifies Rwanda as a hostile nation.
Uganda classifies Rwanda, its former ally in the civil war in DR Congo, as a hostile nation because of fighting in 2000 between the two countries’ armies in DR Congo.

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Timeline of Uganda

Chronology

Bantu-speaking people migrate to the region. They establish the state of Buganda.

Buganda begins to expand at the expense of Bunyoro.

Muslim traders from the Indian Ocean coast exchange slaves of Buganda.

British explorer John Hanning Speke becomes the first European to visit Buganda.

Bugandan King Mutesa I allows Christian missionaries to enter his realm.

Britain and Germany sign treaty giving Britain rights to what was to become Uganda.

Britain takes control of the area, calling it Uganda.

Commercial cultivation of cotton begins.

Uganda given internal self-government.

Uganda gains independence after nearly 70 years of British rule.