The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) national coordinator, David Kabanda, has denied forming a political party to compete with other parties ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Kabanda says PLU is a civic organisation and has nothing to do with politics and that they are sorely focused solely on teaching Ugandans about patriotism.
“We are not into politics,” says Kabanda.
“We are promoting patriotism amongst our people. Those who want to drag us into politics, we are sorry but we are not yet there.”
After holding barazas and movements across the country many have been waiting on PLU unveiling a political party.But Kabanda says they are sorely focused on sensitising Ugandans on patriotism.
Kabanda says they have already received six requests from six sub regions calling for these kinds of trainings.Kabanda emphasized that these regions must be prepared to fund and accommodate the entire organization if they wish to receive their teachings on patriotism.
He said: “We shall submit these requests to the central committee of PLU to decide on where we should go next.”
Bukoto South MP Twaha Kagabo says they will continue to use politicians who believe in PLU to mobilise and bring people together in these baraza.
“The challenges that our communities are facing have been brought about by political divide,” he said.
“And because of that we have to engage politicians to help and lure these people to come and receive the message.”
Supporters of Gen. Muhoozi have for about two years been organising events across to the country to pledge allegiance to his participation in the 2026 presidential.
In an odd coincidence, on the 7th February 2024, the day that the Patriotic League was launched to replace the MK Movement, a re-appointed Electoral Commission was being inaugurated in a sign that the run-up to the 2026 general elections was heating up.
But at the low key event (compared to other MK Movement events) in Naguru where the Patriotic League was launched, it remained unclear whether Gen. Muhoozi would be on the presidential elections ballot in 2026.Gen.
Muhoozi was not at the event and was reported to be out of the country. And several MK Movement stalwarts who The Independent Uganda News site spoke to said they were, matter of fact, unaware of the developments around the new Patriotic League, its launch or its agenda.
Known top leaders of the MK Movement include erstwhile events promoter, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, brother to Museveni; Michael Nuwagira Kaguta aka Toyota, The Independent Publications Ltd MD, Andrew Mwenda, and MPs David Kabanda (Kasambya), Lilian Aber (Kitgum district) and Michael Mawanda (Igara East).
Only the MPs were at the event. Ministers Frank Tumwebaze and Godfrey Kabyanga attended the event.The push and pull over Museveni or Muhoozi for 2026 within the ruling NRM party comes at a time when President Museveni and the NRM appear invincible after capturing all the traditional opposition parties including the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) of Jimmy Akena, the Democratic Party (DP) of Norbert Mao, and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) of Patrick Oboi Amuriat.
Only the National Unity Platform (NUP) of Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine appears to be standing in opposition. But it is largely a central region party that Museveni and the NRM can easily overwhelm in a national election if all factors remain as they are today.