Businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, city tycoon Godfrey Kirumira Kalule, and former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya have joined the growing list of prominent Ugandans assigned Patriotic Officer (PO) numbers by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) as the group mobilises for the 2031 presidential election.
According to a statement issued by PLU Secretary General Fadil Twalla, Ruparelia was assigned PO/198, Mr. Kirumira received PO/199, and Prof. Bukenya was designated PO/300.
The trio is among 117 newly assigned figures, bringing the total number of prominent individuals on the registry to 300. The registry includes politicians, cabinet officials, professionals, and Members of Parliament. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the PLU Chairman, holds PO/001 and personally approves and assigns the numbers.
The PLU leadership states that the system is modelled on the operational numbering used during the 1981-1986 National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war, which brought President Yoweri Museveni to power. The numbers document seniority, loyalty, and contributions to mobilisation.
Speaking during the announcement, Mr. Twalla urged citizens, lawmakers, and public figures to formalise their membership before participating in PLU activities.
“If you were not able to participate in the revolution of 1986, where people went to the bush and restored peace, why don’t you participate in the peaceful transition of power?” Mr. Twalla said. “I call upon members of the public and our supporters across the country to join us on [September] 17th as we endorse our candidate, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for the presidency.”
Mr. Twalla added that being a Member of Parliament should not be viewed merely as a job, but as a platform for active community engagement. He noted that members can apply directly to Gen. Muhoozi for registration and official designation.
The addition of Ruparelia-a major investor in real estate, education, and hospitality-alongside Mr. Kirumira, a diplomat and long-standing Kampala businessman, reflects the organisation’s strategy to integrate high-profile private-sector leaders into its network ahead of 2031.