UACE S101 General Paper section A: Duties and powers of the President of Uganda

Definition: The President is an elected top leader by all the citizens in general elections through a democratic process. He is therefore the first citizen, the fountain of honour, leader of the government, the heat of state, commander in chief and political executive governing the country.

The duties and powers of a president of uganda

• The Pre sident is expected to abide by, uphold and safeguard the consitution and to promote the welfare of citizens and to protect the territorial integrity of a sovereign Uganda.
• Being the commander-in Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the Fountain of Honour, the President of Uganda is responsible for both internal and external security organs toprevail peace, order and defend the country from any aggression/attack.
• He conducts regularly cabinetmeetings with his ministers to guarantee that there is a link between the executive and legislature since all the government business is resolved through the meetings of this kind and passed to the parliament through the leader of government business- the prime minister.
• The executive arm led by the President and the head of Public Service handles the appointments of the officials to occupy the ministerial/departmental/sectorial appointment e.g. the ministers, permanent secretaries and ambassadors, etc. who are later vetted by the parliament and assigned in their respective capacities.
• The welfare of the citizens is a mandate of the president. This is done through the ministry of finance, planning and economic development which develops and monitors the appropriate policies and strategies that guide annual and medium expenditure o public services.
• Through the powers vested in the person of the president, there is implementation of law and policies passes by the parliament in form of bills. He approves and endorses them into functional law and policies.
• He pardons all those prisoners on capital offences through the Presidential prerogative to mercy. This occur after a reasonable time of serving the respective sentences.
• The President holds diplomatic talks, makes treaties with foreign dignitaares/envoys whose results are later presented and debated in the parliament (if need be) He therefore represents the nation in international diologue/confrencies leading to improved country’s international relations and image.
• The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Parliamentusing the police to ensure that all citizens enjoy a fair and favorable exercises of their rights equally. This is done in conjunction with the other arms of the government – the judiciary and legislature.
• Th economy of the country is controlled and stabilized by the president in his capcaity as the head of state. Therefore, at a given point in time, the state of address is expected to brief the country on the state of affairs.
• He promotes unity amongest the citizens regardless of their classes, religions, tribes and so on. This is more evident through the cabinet appointed.
• Leads his political party
• Appoints ambassadors.

Past question

1. Discuss the duties and powers of the President of Uganda.

Mark allocation

Sp – upto 5marks

GE- upto 10 marks

Content- any 10 points Each upto 3marks = 30marks

Total = 50marks

Note that when writing a point

• State the point in full sentence (1mark)
• Explain/discuss the relevance of the point (1mark)
• Give a relevant example (1mark)

Total of = 3 marks per point.

Thank you

Dr. Bbosa Science