Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) leaders have announced that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba intends to seek the Ugandan presidency in 2031, setting the stage for an early political campaign around the army chief’s long-rumoured presidential ambitions.
David Kabanda, the PLU Executive Secretary to the Chairman and Kasambya County MP, made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing PLU supporters and journalists in Kampala.
Kabanda said Kainerugaba had personally instructed him to make his presidential intentions public and claimed that President Yoweri Museveni had endorsed his son’s plans.
“General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has told me to inform you that he will run for President 2031–2036,” Kabanda said.
He further claimed that Museveni would support the bid, arguing that Kainerugaba’s political ambitions would not conflict with the interests 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.
Kabanda described the announcement as the beginning of a nationwide mobilisation drive, directing PLU structures to build support for Kainerugaba across the country ahead of the 2031 election.
He instructed supporters to organise themselves in all 146 districts and identify people willing to back Kainerugaba.
The mobilisation effort will include the registration of supporters. Kabanda said PLU had prepared books, referred to as “Patriotic Number Lists”, where supporters would provide their names, addresses and telephone contacts and indicate whether they were endorsing Kainerugaba or participating in PLU activities more generally.
He said the lists would also help PLU distinguish its early supporters from those who joined the organisation later. The completed records, he added, would eventually be handed to Kainerugaba for custody.
Kabanda also urged PLU members to organise endorsement rallies in their respective districts, but warned them against holding such events without clearance from the movement’s leadership.
According to Kabanda, organisers will be required to seek approval before rallies are held, after which authorised groups will receive signed registration books for documenting supporters.
He said PLU would facilitate peaceful mobilisation activities in different parts of the country and cited Kasanda, Soroti and Hoima as some of the areas expected to host activities in the near future.
Kabanda pointed to a PLU rally held in Masaka in March 2024 as evidence that the movement could attract supporters outside areas traditionally considered its strongholds.
He recalled that he had initially faced doubts when he selected the Liberation Playground as the venue for the Masaka rally, but said the eventual turnout demonstrated the movement’s capacity to mobilise large numbers of people.
The latest declaration adds momentum to longstanding speculation about Kainerugaba’s political future.
Kainerugaba, who chairs PLU and serves as Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, has repeatedly featured in discussions about a possible transition of political power from his father.
The development also comes months after Museveni was sworn in for another presidential term in May 2026, extending his tenure in power beyond four decades.
Kainerugaba previously said he would not contest the 2026 presidential election. However, his supporters have continued to promote his political profile and mobilise around candidates aligned with the NRM.
Following Kabanda’s announcement, PLU supporters at the Kampala gathering cheered and began distributing campaign posters bearing the slogan “Muhoozi Gwakimala”, a Luganda expression portraying Kainerugaba as the person capable of solving the country’s problems.
Several PLU leaders also endorsed the proposed presidential bid.
Tibulihwa Harriet Ssali, a former parliamentary candidate in Kakumiro, called on Ugandans seeking political change to support Kainerugaba. She said she had promoted his leadership credentials in Kakumiro while highlighting issues such as poor roads and inadequate infrastructure.
Rose Ayaka, the PLU coordinator for West Nile and former Maracha District Woman MP, also declared her support, describing Kainerugaba as a leader who listens and acts.
Ayaka said she believed Kainerugaba could tackle corruption and improve Uganda’s economy and broader social conditions, while assuring him of support from West Nile.
Patience Ssempala, the PLU Central Region youth coordinator, said the organisation would step up mobilisation efforts because of what she described as Kainerugaba’s commitment to Uganda.
Kabanda also used the meeting to respond to recent comments attributed to Rwandan officials concerning Kainerugaba.
He rejected claims that the General had made remarks attacking Rwanda’s Constitution, saying his comments were instead focused on matters affecting Uganda.
Kabanda urged officials in Rwanda to avoid statements that could heighten tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
He referred to the previous closure of the Uganda-Rwanda border, saying the disruption affected businesses, families and communities on both sides.
Kabanda credited Kainerugaba with contributing to efforts that eventually restored relations and reopened the border, describing Rwanda as a sister country and insisting that the PLU chairman does not seek confrontation with Uganda’s neighbour.
The announcement now puts Kainerugaba’s name firmly into the early political conversation for the 2031 presidential race, although the formal nomination and electoral process remains years away.
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