I want to commend the officials and supporters who turned up on Monday for the online registration exercise organised by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) at its headquarters. The big turnout is certainly encouraging, but I believe the real test is whether those who attended were there genuinely to support the movement or whether some were simply seeking personal opportunities.
I will not get tired of speaking plainly about this.
One of Uganda’s biggest challenges is that we sometimes move quickly towards where we see an opportunity. When people see what appears to be a promising platform, some rush there with different agendas. Some seek positions and seniority, others want to undermine colleagues, while others may be looking for opportunities to benefit financially.
My message is simple: if your heart is dominated by greed and an appetite for money, please do not contaminate PLU.
PLU has presented itself as a movement with an agenda of mobilising the masses, fighting corruption and monitoring government programmes. Such an agenda requires people who are committed to public service rather than personal gain.
Yes, many of those who attended have endorsed General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. But endorsement alone should not be the measure of commitment. The movement will ultimately have to examine the actions and records of those who claim to support it.
Uganda has seen situations where individuals publicly support one political side during the day but privately work against it at night. Such double standards should have no place in PLU.
If PLU is to succeed, it must be built around genuine commitment, discipline and loyalty to its stated objectives. There should be no room for people who join simply because they believe there is money, influence or positions to be gained.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has already built a name that is known at the grassroots, and his political ambitions are being discussed widely. However, I would respectfully caution him that some of the people loudly praising PLU today may have poor reputations within their own communities.
That should matter.
A political movement cannot effectively market its agenda through people who are not trusted by the communities they are expected to mobilise. The credibility of the messenger is often just as important as the message itself.
For that reason, genuine followers should not simply be identified by the number of people attending functions in towns. The real strength of PLU will be determined in the villages, where ordinary Ugandans live and where government programmes ultimately have to deliver results.
We therefore need genuine foot soldiers who understand the movement’s objectives, believe in them and are prepared to work for the people without expecting personal rewards.
The large turnout at the registration exercise is a good beginning. But numbers alone should not be mistaken for commitment. Time, actions and service to the people will reveal who is genuinely committed and who is simply looking for an opportunity.
We are ready to move as foot soldiers for the assignment.
Long live General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Long live Jaja Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
