Former Kawempe South MP and political commentator Mubarak Munyagwa has expressed what he described as his “great respect” for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, while making it clear that his admiration for the First Son does not automatically translate into support for the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
Speaking during a fresh one-on-one interview on Sanyuka One, Munyagwa offered a nuanced assessment of Gen. Muhoozi, acknowledging his growing significance in Uganda’s political and public affairs.
“I have great respect for Gen. Muhoozi because he is the First Son and a significant figure in the country,” Munyagwa said.
However, Munyagwa stressed that respecting a prominent political figure does not mean agreeing with everything they say or do. He said he remains willing to challenge Gen. Muhoozi on issues where their positions differ.
“I can respectfully tell Gen. Muhoozi where I support him and where I disagree with him,” he added.
His remarks appeared to draw an important distinction between personal respect for Gen. Muhoozi and political support for organisations or movements associated with him.
Munyagwa was particularly direct when asked about PLU, a political pressure group that has become increasingly associated with Gen. Muhoozi and his supporters.
“I don’t support PLU, I support some of the things Gen. Muhoozi does,” he stated.
The comments are likely to generate discussion within Uganda’s increasingly active political landscape, particularly as Gen. Muhoozi continues to attract significant public attention because of his position as Chief of Defence Forces and his status as President Yoweri Museveni’s son.
Munyagwa’s position also highlights the increasingly complex nature of political alliances in Uganda, where politicians and public figures can express support for individual leaders while rejecting particular movements, organisations or political strategies linked to them.
His statement that he can disagree with Gen. Muhoozi “respectfully” could also be interpreted as an attempt to separate political criticism from personal hostility.
PLU has in recent years gained visibility through activities involving Gen. Muhoozi and his supporters, although the group’s political role and future have remained subjects of debate.
For Munyagwa, however, the distinction appears straightforward: respect for Gen. Muhoozi does not amount to unconditional political allegiance.
His comments are therefore likely to fuel further debate over Gen. Muhoozi’s growing influence, the future of PLU and the positions of politicians who support some of his ideas while remaining opposed to the broader movement surrounding him.
The bigger question now is whether Munyagwa’s position represents a growing trend of selective support for Gen. Muhoozi—or signals deeper divisions over the direction of the PLU movement.
