More than 15 ministers and more than 200 Members of Parliament have pledged allegiance to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) as the organisation seeks to consolidate its influence within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The show of support came yesterday during the handover ceremony of the PLU secretary general’s office at the organisation’s headquarters in Kampala.
Mr Fadil Twalla, the Tingey County MP, officially took over as PLU secretary general from Kasambya County MP David Kabanda, who was absent. Organisers said Mr Kabanda was attending a youth conference abroad.
PLU chairperson Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba also did not attend the event and was represented by the organisation’s vice chairman, Mr Michael Nuwagira.
Speaking as chief guest, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth said the transition was important for both the organisation and the country’s political future.
‘We are here to witness a transition, a transfer of responsibility that carries the full weight of the PLU movement’s future and indeed the future of Uganda,’ he said.
Mr Oboth-Oboth urged the new secretary general to maintain close cooperation with the NRM, noting that many PLU leaders are also members of the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee.
‘The survival of PLU depends on absolute cohesion. You are here to support the NRM government and not to undermine it,’ he said. In his acceptance speech, Mr Twalla pledged to strengthen PLU structures from the village to the national level and prioritise the fight against corruption.
‘Corruption remains the greatest threat to Uganda’s development. Every shilling stolen from government is a school not built, a hospital not equipped and a job opportunity denied to our young people,’ he said.
Mr Twalla said PLU would support efforts to improve accountability in government institutions, local governments and public agencies. Representing Gen Muhoozi, Mr Nuwagira said Mr Twalla was chosen because of his commitment to the organisation and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen the movement. He also paid tribute to Mr Kabanda for his contribution to PLU’s growth.