Kampala, Uganda – The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has announced plans to roll out fresh political and civic activities across the country, including the establishment of leadership structures from the village to the district level and National level, in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
Speaking at the PLU headquarters in Kampala, Secretary General David Kabanda, who also serves as Kasambya County MP, said the league will spearhead coordinated mobilization to secure overwhelming support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer.
Kabanda declared that the PLU’s target is to deliver at least 80 percent of the national vote for the 81-year-old president, who is seeking another term that would extend his rule beyond four decades.
Defending Legitimacy
Kabanda dismissed criticism that the PLU is overstepping political boundaries, insisting that the organization is fully compliant with the law.
“There is a misunderstanding around this law,” Kabanda explained. “The Act does not prohibit all political activity—it prohibits partisan political involvement. PLU, as a civic and patriotic organization, operates within the law.”
He emphasized that the league’s upcoming programs will focus on youth and women empowerment, outreach to cultural and religious institutions, and broad community mobilization. He noted that President Museveni himself has repeatedly urged leaders to do more to involve young people in national affairs, a gap the PLU intends to bridge.
Endorsement of Museveni
Kabanda revealed that the PLU will soon convene a meeting at which members will officially endorse President Museveni as their preferred presidential candidate for 2026. He said the endorsement will reflect the league’s “unique brand of civic mobilization” and commitment to inclusive participation.
In addition, Kabanda said the PLU is studying Uganda’s past elections—both peaceful and contested—to generate recommendations that will strengthen transparency and fairness in future polls.
Not a Rival to NRM
Addressing speculation that the league is trying to dominate or replace the NRM, Kabanda said the PLU’s growing presence within party structures and local government should be seen as collaboration, not competition.
“The Patriotic League of Uganda is not in competition with any political party,” he stressed. “We are working in unity for the future of this country.”
Kabanda highlighted that 75 percent of PLU members who contested in the recent NRM primaries won their races, with the league’s affiliates now holding about 60 percent of seats on the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC). He framed this as evidence of cooperation rather than rivalry.
“We are not taking over the NRM but complementing it,” Kabanda said. “We are helping to resolve dissatisfaction, whether from primaries or vetting processes, and we are even engaging members of other parties such as the NUP, DP, and PPF.”
Muhoozi’s Role
Kabanda reaffirmed that all appointments and strategic guidance within the league come directly from its chairman, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces. While he did not confirm which upcoming activities Muhoozi will personally attend, he insisted the chairman remains fully engaged in directing the league’s operations.
From MK Movement to PLU
The PLU traces its roots to the MK Movement, which began as an informal group organizing birthday celebrations for Gen. Muhoozi. On February 7, 2024, the movement was officially rebranded as the Patriotic League of Uganda during a launch at Plot 7 Saddlerway in Naguru. The event drew thousands of supporters, notably near Kampala Parents School, Muhoozi’s former school.
Today, the PLU presents itself as a civic pressure group committed to lawful, inclusive, and peaceful mobilization—positioning itself as both a complement to the NRM and a central actor in Uganda’s shifting political landscape ahead of 2026.
