Kampala, Uganda: Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has dropped Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General David Kabanda and several other influential figures from the organisation’s top leadership in a sweeping Central Committee shake-up that signals a major restructuring of the movement ahead of its next phase.
In a series of posts published on X on Monday morning, the PLU General Chairman announced that only four members of the current Central Committee would be retained as he prepares to appoint a new leadership team to confront what he described as emerging challenges facing the organisation.
“The new General Secretary of PLU is Hon. Fadil Twalla. I will work closely with him to achieve our objectives. I thank Hon. Kabanda for his three years of excellent service. He set the standard high for the position,” Gen Kainerugaba posted.
The CDF revealed that only businessman Michael Nuwagira, popularly known as Toyota, lawyer Edwin Karugire, Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, and journalist Andrew Mwenda would remain on the Central Committee.
The announcement effectively removes several prominent PLU figures from the movement’s highest decision-making organ, including now former Secretary General David Kabanda, State Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara, State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Lillian Aber, businessman Frank Gashumba and veteran mobiliser Henry Basaliza.
The shake-up comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Kabanda, who recently deactivated his X account amid reports that he had considered retiring from active politics, citing pressure, threats, and blackmail linked to recent political developments.
Although Kabanda had publicly expressed a desire to leave politics, sources within the movement indicated that Muhoozi persuaded him to remain active in PLU and continue serving as Member of Parliament for Kasambya County.
The restructuring follows controversy surrounding remarks made by businessman Frank Gashumba regarding alleged discrimination against Banyarwanda in Uganda.
On Sunday night, Muhoozi indicated that he intended to engage Gashumba on the matter through the party structure.
“On my brother @FrankGashumba threatening to start another M23 in Uganda, we shall call him and discuss his issues in the PLU Central Committee. Point of information, I outrank ndugu Gashumba both in Rwanda and Eastern DRC,” Muhoozi posted.
PLU unveiled its first formal Central Committee in 2024 following Muhoozi’s transition from the MK Movement into the broader political and civic organisation.
The committee brought together politicians, business figures, and media personalities who became the public face of the movement’s mobilisation activities across the country.
Political observers say Muhoozi’s decision to retain only four members signals a desire to build a leaner inner circle while preparing a broader restructuring of the organisation.
Michael Nuwagira, widely known as Toyota, has long been regarded as one of Muhoozi’s closest allies and has played a significant role in mobilisation and financing activities.
Edwin Karugire, who is also Muhoozi’s brother-in-law, remains one of the movement’s key legal and strategic advisers. Michael Mawanda has emerged as one of PLU’s most visible political mobilisers, while Andrew Mwenda continues to serve as one of its most influential public communicators.
Muhoozi did not explain why other members had been dropped or whether they would be assigned alternative responsibilities within the organisation.
The identities of the remaining members of the new Central Committee are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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