The Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced an expansion of the movement’s Patriotic Officers (PO) structure, reinforcing what is described as a deliberate effort to consolidate leadership, recognize contribution, and strengthen organizational cohesion.
In a new directive, Gen. Muhoozi assigned additional Patriotic Officer numbers to a selected group of political leaders and mobilizers, building on the initial list of 12 officers earlier communicated by Andrew Mwenda. The newly designated officers are:
- PO 013 – Hon Frank Tumwebaze
- PO 014 – Hon Kyeyune Kasolo
- PO 015 – Hon Ruth Acheng
- PO 016 – Hon Joanne Okia
- PO 017 – Hon Atima Jackson
- PO 018 – Hon Ojara Mapinduzi
- PO 019 – Hon Nelson Nshangabasheija
- PO 020 – Mr Frank Mwesigye
The Chairman indicated that more appointments are expected, signaling a continuing process of formalizing the PLU’s internal hierarchy and honoring those who have played pivotal roles in its growth.
Reinforcing Authority and Command Structure
Beyond the appointments, Gen. Muhoozi issued a firm directive addressing internal disagreements within the movement, particularly surrounding the office of the General Secretary held by Hon David Kabanda.
“I am going to say this only once,” the Chairman declared. “I am the one who appointed Hon. Kabanda as General Secretary of PLU. I know why I did that. I have my reasons. Those who fight him are fighting our Movement. We will not allow it. They should stop immediately.”
The statement underscores a clear assertion of authority and an expectation of discipline within PLU ranks, as the Chairman moves to quell internal friction and reinforce unity of purpose.
Hon Kabanda Responds: A Call to Refocus
In response, Hon. David Kabanda welcomed the Chairman’s intervention, expressing gratitude and calling on members to remain aligned with the broader mission of the movement.
“Thank you so so much Afande my leader for intervening and putting an end to this intrigue,” he said. “To my fellow PLU members and fans of Afande MK, let’s not be diverted from the cause of fighting for patriotic ideals of our country.”
His remarks reflect an attempt to de-escalate tensions while redirecting attention toward PLU’s ideological foundation and national agenda.
Emerging Voices and Structural Debate
However, the latest developments have also reignited discussion among founding members and early mobilizers regarding the movement’s evolution and organizational identity.
Michael Katungi (Ambassador) offered a candid perspective, highlighting the decentralized and grassroots origins of PLU.
“I can also authoritatively say no one has a blueprint of PLU,” he noted. “We established over 30 chapters with no penny from PLU across the world. We put a team of six specialists who developed a guiding manual… We recruited the intelligentsia across board.”
Katungi’s remarks point to an underlying conversation about ownership, structure, and the balance between organic growth and centralized leadership within the movement.
A Movement at a Defining Moment
The latest appointments and directives come at a critical juncture for PLU, as it transitions from an informal network of patriotic mobilizers into a more structured political force. The introduction of numbered Patriotic Officers appears designed not only to recognize loyalty and contribution but also to institutionalize hierarchy and clarify roles.
At the same time, the Chairman’s strong stance on internal discipline signals a zero-tolerance approach to factionalism an approach that could either solidify unity or test the movement’s internal resilience.
As more appointments are anticipated, the coming days will be crucial in shaping the future direction of PLU whether as a tightly coordinated political force or a broad-based patriotic coalition navigating the complexities of growth, identity, and leadership.
For now, one message from the Chairman stands unmistakably clear: unity, discipline, and loyalty to the movement’s core mission remain non-negotiable.
