The Executive Secretary to the Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), MP David Kabanda, has said Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba informed him that he will contest for the presidency in 2031.
Kabanda revealed this while addressing PLU supporters and the media in Kampala on Tuesday, saying Gen. Kainerugaba had instructed him to communicate his presidential intentions to the public.
“General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has told me to inform you that he will run for President 2031–2036,” Kabanda said.
He added that the incumbent President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, had sanctioned the decision, arguing that there would therefore be no conflict between Gen. Kainerugaba’s political ambitions and the current leadership of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I can confirm to you that this one has been sanctioned by His Excellency the President, so there is no conflict between the two. Museveni is also going to be the Chief Campaign Manager for Muhoozi,” Kabanda said.
To support his statements, Kabanda said that ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the 12th Parliament, he received a message from Muhoozi showing that they were to remove the 11th Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among. He said that, at the time, he was seated between Among and her husband, Magogo, but he looked for reasons to excuse himself from them so that he could go and prepare to communicate plans on how PLU was to support another candidate. He said this indeed happened, and therefore he believes that Muhoozi’s presidential bid will happen the same way.
Kabanda said the PLU is now set to embark on a nationwide mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2031 presidential contest, urging supporters to identify and mobilise their supporters across the country.
He said the movement intends to conduct mobilisation activities in all 146 districts of Uganda and build a strong support base for Gen. Kainerugaba.
“From now until 2031, I want our great PLU to carry out the mobilisation in the 146 districts of Uganda, mark all our people with us,” he said.
Kabanda said the movement’s objective was to have a large majority of Ugandans supporting Gen. Kainerugaba by the time of the presidential election. Immediately after this, people started distributing campaign posters bearing the logo “Muhoozi Gwe Akimala,” a Luganda phrase meaning “Muhoozi is the one who can solve everything.”
He also recounted the growth of PLU and alluded to the March 15, 2024, rally held in Masaka, an opposition stronghold, as one of the events that demonstrated the movement’s growing support.
Kabanda said he was previously sent to Masaka to identify a suitable venue for a PLU function and selected a large open space at the Liberation Playground, despite warnings that it would be difficult to attract a significant crowd because of the area’s strong opposition political presence.
“When I went there, I saw the ground and I said the function must be here,” Kabanda said, adding that he insisted on using the venue despite people warning that the rally could embarrass the organisers.
He said the large turnout at the Masaka event gave the PLU leadership confidence that the movement could attract supporters beyond its traditional areas of influence.
Kabanda said Gen. Kainerugaba later contacted him and expressed satisfaction with the turnout, telling him that the movement was gaining momentum.
He also traced the origins of the Patriotic League of Uganda to Gen. Kainerugaba’s supporters and his participation in Uganda’s political and military history, describing him as a patriot.
Kabanda further announced plans to document supporters who have endorsed Gen. Kainerugaba’s presidential bid.
He said PLU has prepared books containing what he described as “Patriotic Number Lists” to register supporters and record details, including their names, addresses, telephone contacts, and whether they are endorsing Gen. Kainerugaba or merely participating in the movement’s activities.
According to Kabanda, the records will also help distinguish supporters who have been with the movement from its early stages from those who joined later.
He said the completed records would be handed over to Gen. Kainerugaba for safe custody.
Kabanda also called on PLU supporters to organise endorsement rallies in their respective districts but instructed them to first seek approval from the PLU leadership.
He said district organisers should formally write to the organisation requesting permission before holding rallies, after which approved groups would be provided with signed books for registering supporters.
Kabanda said the PLU leadership would support mobilisation activities across the country, provided the rallies were properly organised and conducted peacefully.
He mentioned Kasanda, Soroti, and Hoima among the areas where mobilisation activities are expected to take place soon.
The declaration comes just barely four months after the new President, Museveni, who is Muhoozi’s father, was sworn in in May 2026 to extend his rule beyond 40 years.
Gen. Kainerugaba, who is the Chairman of the PLU and Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, has for several years been the subject of public discussion regarding his political ambitions and the possibility of succeeding his father, President Museveni. As a soldier/military officer, Muhoozi is not supposed to engage in partisan politics before retirement, according to the Ugandan Constitution.
In 2023, Muhoozi said he would not contest in the 2026 presidential election, while his supporters continued to promote his long-term political ambitions as they also rallied support for all NRM-leaning candidates at both parliamentary and local government levels.
Earlier, Kabanda remembered the days of Museveni’s early struggle, especially when he (Museveni) once borrowed a vehicle from the family of Patrick Ruyondo, then the Town Clerk of Masaka, claiming that he needed it to travel to Ssembabule to attend a wedding.
According to Kabanda, Museveni instead used the vehicle as part of preparations for an attack on Kabamba Barracks. When the vehicle developed mechanical problems around Nyendo, he reportedly obtained mechanics to repair it before continuing the journey. The vehicle was eventually used to transport him towards Kabamba, where the attack was carried out.
Kabanda said the incident demonstrated the secrecy and determination surrounding the early operations that eventually shaped Uganda’s political and military history. He used the story to explain why he did not inform anyone about what was going to happen today at the PLU offices.
Meanwhile, Kabanda also addressed recent comments attributed to the Rwandan government spokesperson concerning General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He dismissed claims that Muhoozi had made statements against Rwanda’s Constitution, saying his remarks were directed at issues concerning Ugandans. He urged Rwanda’s officials to avoid statements that could create unnecessary tension between the two neighbouring countries.
He also recalled the previous closure of the Uganda-Rwanda border, noting that it affected businesses, families, and communities on both sides. Kabanda credited General Muhoozi with helping reopen the border after earlier diplomatic efforts had failed, emphasising that Muhoozi continues to regard Rwanda as a sister country and does not seek conflict between the two nations.
Immediately after Kabanda announced that Muhoozi would stand for the presidency in 2031, there was excitement in a big tent where hundreds of supporters were seated waiting for his address, and they started cheering him on.
Tibulihwa Harriet Ssali, a former parliamentary candidate for Kakumiro District, appealed to all people who want change in the country to support Muhoozi’s bid. She said she gave the people of Kakumiro Muhoozi as their password for all the challenges they face, such as pathetic roads and other infrastructure.
Rose Ayaka, the West Nile Coordinator for PLU and former Maracha District Woman MP, endorsed General Muhoozi’s presidential bid, describing him as a quality leader who listens and acts.
She said Muhoozi aims to combat corruption and improve Uganda’s economy and society before assuring him of West Nile’s support.
Patience Ssempala, the Central Region Youth Coordinator, said they are going to start serious mobilisation drives for the General because he is a patriot.
