The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has warned National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters against attempting to sabotage the 2031 presidential bid of its chairman, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Muhoozi, who is currently the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), is barred by law from contesting for a political position while serving in the military and would have to resign from his current position before seeking elective office.
His supporters and those of his father, President Yoweri Museveni, have often clashed as both father and son have expressed presidential ambitions for 2031. Museveni has been in power since 1986 after overthrowing the government of President Milton Obote.
Now, Jimmy Lwanga, former Njeru Municipality MP and PLU coordinator for Greater Mukono, has warned that attempts to frustrate PLU activities would fail, likening such efforts to “a fall on a leopard that has a cub.”
He also called on NRM supporters to embrace Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions, saying PLU operates within the broader NRM political framework rather than as a separate political party.
“Everything PLU does has the president’s endorsement, and we therefore call upon members of NRM to also join in support of Gen. MK. I only warn you to come purified, leave behind all sorts of hatred which lead to making the party candidates at parliamentary and local levels lose elections,” Lwanga said.
PLU has embarked on a nationwide drive to mobilise support for Muhoozi ahead of the 2031 presidential election. The organisation has been distributing endorsement books through its structures across the country.
At the Mukono event, Lwanga praised Museveni for what he described as providing direction to the country and nurturing a younger generation of leaders. He said PLU had spent considerable time examining what its leaders consider to be factors weakening the NRM in different parts of the country, particularly in Buganda, citing internal conflicts, what he termed treachery and lack of seriousness.
Mukono District PLU coordinator Madinah Katushabe said PLU would pursue a more transparent approach. Former State Minister for Water Ronald Kibuule offered another strong endorsement of Muhoozi, describing him as a leader who had been prepared for national responsibility.
“It is the right time for the general to offer light and a new direction for this country. I therefore strongly endorse him for the presidency and call upon the rest of Ugandans to show him the kind of support he deserves,” Kibuule said.
Kibuule also predicted a peaceful transfer of power from President Museveni.
Mukono Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hajjati Fatumah Ndisaba Nabitaka, who attended the event, praised the turnout and the absence of demands for transport allowances, which she contrasted with some NRM gatherings.
“Today’s gathering is a serious signal that people indeed love the general. We also promise to work with him to develop our country,” Nabitaka said.
She also commended PLU for conducting its mobilisation without distributing money, saying she believed the approach would strengthen the ruling party.
The registration books being used by PLU resemble the traditional NRM yellow books, providing a familiar organisational format for supporters.