Muhoozi Orders PLU MPs to Back Museveni’s Speaker Choice, Defying NRM’s Endorsement of Among
KAMPALA — Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) and Commander of Uganda’s defence forces, has directed all PLU MPs to vote only for the candidate endorsed by President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming Speaker of the 12th Parliament election — openly challenging the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s endorsement of incumbent Speaker Anita Among.
In a series of posts on X, Muhoozi declared that NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) decisions are “null and void” when they conflict with the President’s will, adding, “PLU supports whatever position President Museveni takes and we do not listen to NRM’s CEC.”
The directive throws into question Anita Among’s bid for re-election amid swirling corruption allegations, including the controversial Shs3.4 billion purchase of a Rolls-Royce. Muhoozi appeared to reference the scandal directly, writing: “I have been Mzee’s son for 52 years but I have never sat in a Rolls-Royce ever. I don’t think Mzee has sat in one either.”
‘We cannot support corruption’
Muhoozi struck an anti-corruption tone across multiple posts, insisting that PLU’s mission is to serve ordinary Ugandans.
“PLU believes in the reduction of ANY monies sent to parliament. We believe in redirecting that money to the millions of Ugandans living in shacks, with no water or power,” he wrote.
He added: “Our job is to SERVE Ugandans not ourselves! I cannot support corruption! I risked my life to make this country peaceful. Now that it is, it will not be taken by thieves. Never!”
A mystery candidate and a fractured majority
Muhoozi hinted that PLU may field its own choice, stating, “We have another candidate… call him/her the PLU candidate.” He also dismissed speculation that Norbert Mao, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), could be a compromise figure, saying, “My big brother Mao is DP. It’s impossible that NRM and PLU will vote for him.”
The NRM holds around 350 seats in the 553-member Parliament, a comfortable majority on paper. However, PLU claims influence over 302 MPs — suggesting significant overlap with NRM’s caucus. With only a simple majority required and swearing-in scheduled for May 13–15, the split could prove decisive.
President Museveni has already signaled that the CEC’s decision is “not final,” leaving room for his personal endorsement to override party machinery. Muhoozi made that hierarchy explicit: “In the battle for Speaker of Parliament, ALL PLU MPs and PLU leaning MPs will vote for whoever the President and Commander-in-Chief endorses. We shall support Mzee’s position.”
As of publication, Museveni has not publicly named his preferred candidate.
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