The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has urged the Defence Forces Council to take disciplinary action against Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba over his leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU). ULS describes PLU as an illegal political organisation operating without registration with the Electoral Commission. In a legal opinion dated October 26, 2026, the lawyers' body argues that PLU's activities, including collecting 20 million signatures endorsing Kainerugaba for the 2031 presidential election, demonstrate its political ambitions.
PLU launched the nationwide campaign in September 2026, distributing endorsement registers across 146 districts, with regional launches held in West Nile and Adjumani. ULS argues that these activities meet the definition of a political organisation under the Political Parties and Organisations Act. The society maintains that Article 72(2) of the Constitution prohibits an organisation from operating as a political party or organisation unless registered and compliant with constitutional requirements. ULS has also urged the Electoral Commission to demand the suspension of all PLU political activities until registration.
ULS further argues that Kainerugaba's position as PLU chairman violates constitutional provisions requiring the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) to remain non-partisan. Citing Article 208(2) of the Constitution and Section 16 of the Political Parties and Organisations Act, ULS notes that serving military personnel are barred from founding, promoting, or belonging to political organisations. The society also cites Section 97 of the UPDF Act, requiring serving officers to resign or retire before pursuing political office.
The society points to PLU's campaign to endorse Kainerugaba for the 2031 presidential election as evidence of his political ambitions. A regional coordinator had previously indicated that Kainerugaba would resign from the army when the time came. ULS argues that this approach would delay compliance with the law, requiring an officer to resign or retire before pursuing political office. Under Section 16(2) of the Political Parties and Organisations Act, contravening these restrictions is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
ULS has also urged the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute PLU's leadership for alleged violations of the Political Parties and Organisations Act. The society says its opinion is based on publicly available information, including media reports and statements by PLU officials. PLU has a national leadership structure, comprising a chairman, vice chairpersons, a secretary general, and regional coordinators, with plans to establish offices at district, sub-county, and parish levels.
Several prominent government officials, including Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, and Cabinet ministers, are among PLU's members. PLU emerged in 2023 from the MK Movement, a network formed to promote Kainerugaba as a potential successor to President Yoweri Museveni. Following his withdrawal from the 2026 presidential race, the organisation shifted its focus towards the 2031 election.
The ULS intervention aims to protect the Constitution and ensure compliance with laws governing political organisations and the political neutrality of the armed forces. The society's actions are based on publicly available information and seek to enforce military discipline against the CDF. ULS's efforts will likely have significant implications for Uganda's political landscape, particularly regarding the role of the military in politics.
Key points
- ULS urges disciplinary action against General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for leading an alleged illegal political organisation.
- PLU's activities, including collecting 20 million signatures, demonstrate its political ambitions.
- Kainerugaba's position as PLU chairman may violate constitutional provisions requiring the UPDF to remain non-partisan.
