Why NRM should not underrate PLU in the 2026 polls
Many supporters of Gen. Muhoozi are members of NRM
Op-Ed: What started as the MK Movement, a voluntary and diverse group of individuals celebrating the birthday of an Army General has now evolved into a political pressure group dubbed the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
The Patriotic League of Uganda under the stewardship of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, now the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), is setting a foundation for a political party that will contest national elections in 2026.
In June 2023 President Museveni was quoted in many platforms linking the apparent appeal of his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to younger Ugandans to their “frustration” with weaknesses within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Gen. Muhoozi on the other hand said that he doesn’t believe in NRM because it is a reactionary organization in the country.
On February 7, 2024 PLU was officially launched in Naguru-Kampala, a remarkable event presided over by Flt. Capt. Mike Mukula, a NRM CEC member and veteran politician from Teso. In addition, the event was attended by leaders from various corners of the country and political affiliations; something that highlighted and signaled the collaborative nature of the PLU’s mission.
According to the Central Committee member, Michael Mawanda, the PLU is a civic organization dedicated to the principles of independence, sovereignty, and development of Uganda. With the problems of unemployment among the youth, corruption, nepotism, internal party conflicts arising from the struggle for power and supremacy and issues related internal elections which have characterized the 38 years of NRM government, many Ugandans now see PLU as their road to hope.
Many supporters of Gen. Muhoozi are members of NRM and this is something the party secretariat should not take lightly because this support is not likely to remain with Gen Muhoozi alone, but to permeate to whoever is contesting under PLU in the 2026 general elections.
It is also evident that President Museveni now prefers working with pro Muhoozi people as seen in the recent mini-cabinet reshuffle (amendment). The likes of Balaam Barugahara, Lilian Aber and Phiona Nyamutoro who started the MK Movement, Standby Generator and celebrating the 48th birthday of Gen. Muhoozi have eaten big in Museveni’s cabinet.
Just like the bible says in John 14:6 that Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Many NRM bigwigs have mastered the game and know that the only way to survive in 2026 and beyond is by associating with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Last month, the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, during the launch of her Bukedea teaching hospital said for them in Bukedea they believe in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. She assured the president that they are still here with him, the father. And when he (Museveni) tells them to move, they will move to the son (Muhoozi) and be guided with the Holy Spirit.
These kinds of statements and many more from senior NRM leaders who are now following Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba are not statements that the party like NRM should take for granted like it happened with NUP in 2021.
The author is Julius Obongo, a former journalist with Etop Newspaper
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