By Aggrey Baba
In the ever-intensifying battle for Buganda’s political soul, outspoken political activist Frank Gashumba has boldly declared that the region’s future lies with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), emphasizing that the people have already embraced the movement.
Speaking on the NBS Barometer yesterday, Gashumba asserted that PLU, which is now working hand in hand with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), is the only viable force capable of winning back the region.
“The Buganda region can only be won back through the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU). The people of the region have embraced us,” Gashumba stated confidently, signaling PLU’s growing influence in an area that has been a battleground for political supremacy.
His comments come in the wake of PLU’s recent shift in political strategy, following the declaration by its leader, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, that he will not be running for the presidency in 2026 but will instead be endorsing President Museveni and the NRM. This development has reshaped the political landscape, with PLU positioning itself as a key ally in NRM’s quest to reclaim Buganda.
Gashumba did not hold back in his criticism of the ruling party’s internal weaknesses, questioning whether it still had the capacity to organize itself and retain relevance among voters.
He mocked the party’s structures, claiming that many NRM supporters do not even know who their Secretary General is, unlike the opposition, where figures such as David Lewis Rubongoya of the National Unity Platform (NUP) are widely recognized.
“Many NRM supporters don’t even know who their Secretary General is. But who doesn’t know David Lewis Rubongoya? Most NRM systems are not functional, the only light is in State House,” Gashumba remarked, painting a picture of a party that has become overly dependent on President Museveni while its internal structures crumble.
He further accused NRM leaders of being detached from their constituencies, only surfacing when the president visits but failing to follow up and reinforce his message afterward.
“I have never seen leaders who leave all the work to their president like NRM leaders. When the president visits an area, you never see these NRM leaders returning to reaffirm his message to the people,” Gashumba added.
His sharp criticism reflects growing frustrations within and outside the ruling party over its ability to maintain grassroots support, especially in a politically charged region like Buganda.
With PLU now actively supporting Museveni’s 2026 bid, the challenge remains whether the NRM structures can capitalize on this alliance to reclaim Buganda or if internal weaknesses will continue to hold the party back.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the big question remains, can NRM and its newfound ally, PLU, successfully win back Buganda, or is the region slipping further into the hands of opposition forces like NUP? (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
