Muhoozi says PLU will now approve all new RDCs

In Summary: Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba says the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) will vet and approve all newly appointed Resident District Commissioners, arguing that the country needs serious and incorruptible cadres. His announcement raises questions about the organisation’s proposed role in appointments legally vested in the President.

Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has said the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) will approve all newly appointed Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), declaring that the organisation wants serious and incorruptible cadres to serve in government.

Muhoozi, who chairs PLU, said the organisation would support President Yoweri Museveni in identifying suitable individuals for the influential district leadership positions.

“PLU will approve all new RDCs in the country. We need serious cadres who are incorruptible,” Muhoozi said via his official X handle on Saturday evening.

He added that PLU would help Museveni handle the matter, signalling the organisation’s intention to participate in the identification and vetting of people considered for the positions.

RDCs are presidential representatives responsible for monitoring government programmes, coordinating public service delivery and overseeing security matters in their respective districts. They also chair district security committees and monitor the implementation of government policies.

However, Muhoozi’s announcement raises questions about the legal and administrative basis on which PLU would exercise the proposed approval role.

Under Uganda’s constitutional and legal framework, the appointment of RDCs is a presidential responsibility. Article 203 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of Resident District Commissioners by the President, while the Local Governments Act outlines their functions.

The law does not expressly assign political organisations such as PLU the authority to approve candidates for the positions. It remains unclear whether Muhoozi’s statement refers to an internal PLU vetting process or a formal arrangement through which the organisation would influence presidential appointments.

The announcement comes as PLU continues to expand its organisational structures and political activities across the country.

Launched in February 2024 in Naguru, Kampala, the organisation has developed into a mobilisation platform associated with Muhoozi and supporters of President Museveni.

Muhoozi has previously described PLU as a pressure group within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), rather than a separate political party, and has repeatedly emphasised the organisation’s opposition to corruption.

PLU has also been mobilising supporters through district and regional structures as it seeks to strengthen its grassroots presence.

If implemented, the proposed involvement in RDC appointments could give the organisation a more direct role in influencing the selection of individuals considered for government positions. However, the President retains the constitutional authority to appoint RDCs.