12 Facts About Godfrey Binaisa

Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa QC was a Ugandan lawyer and politician who served as the fifth president of Uganda from June 1979 to May 1980.

Godfrey Binaisa was educated at King's College Budo and Makerere College.

Godfrey Binaisa then earned an LLB from King's College London in 1955 and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1956.

Godfrey Binaisa was appointed a Queen's counsel and had a private law practice in Kampala.

Godfrey Binaisa later joined Uganda People's Congress which in 1962 formed the first post-independence government of Uganda.

Godfrey Binaisa was appointed the Attorney General in 1962 and served until 1968 when he resigned over disagreements with President Milton Obote concerning constitutional matters, particularly the presidential powers of detention.

On 20 June 1979, Godfrey Binaisa was appointed President of Uganda by the National Consultative Commission, which was then the supreme governing body of the Uganda National Liberation Front, a coalition of former Ugandan exiles who had helped remove Idi Amin.

When Godfrey Binaisa removed the army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Oyite Ojok, he was himself removed from office on 12 May 1980 by the Military Commission, a powerful organ of the UNLF headed by Paulo Muwanga, and whose deputy was Yoweri Museveni.

Godfrey Binaisa had joined, and was made vice president of, the Uganda Patriotic Movement.

Godfrey Binaisa was the only former president of Uganda being looked after by the state under provisions of the Constitution of Uganda.

Godfrey Binaisa married Tomoko Yamamoto on 26 July 2004 in a Unification Church Blessing Ceremony.

Godfrey Binaisa was 90 years old and had suffered a stroke or heart attack earlier in the year.