Retired Lt Gen Charles Otema Awany has called for cohesion between Uganda's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) in the Acholi sub-region, dismissing assertions that the organizations are adversaries. Speaking during the launch of PLU endorsement books in Gulu City, Otema described PLU as a 'tributary' that strengthens the NRM rather than competing with it. 'We share the same values of patriotism, fighting corruption, and accountable leadership,' he stated, emphasizing the groups' alignment on core principles. The event marked the start of PLU's grassroots endorsement campaign across Acholi's eight districts, with district coordinators tasked with mobilizing residents for both physical and online registration within two weeks.
PLU Coordinator for Acholi, Bardege-Layibi MP Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, outlined the distribution of endorsement books to sub-counties, parishes, and villages, urging collaboration between NRM and PLU grassroots leaders. He compared their relationship to a 'relay race,' where each group passes the 'baton' to the next. PLU, launched in February 2024 from the MK Movement, is chaired by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and positions itself as a civic movement focused on patriotism, youth empowerment, and accountability. While it operates within the NRM tradition, its officials have consistently framed their role as complementary rather than adversarial.
The Acholi endorsement drive reflects PLU's broader strategy to expand its grassroots presence nationwide. The organization has conducted community outreach and partnered with NRM structures, aligning its activities with the ruling party's agenda. Otema's remarks underscore the political calculus of maintaining unity within the NRM's traditional strongholds, where PLU's mobilization efforts could bolster the party's influence. Analysts note that such collaborations highlight the fluid dynamics between established political entities and newer civic groups in Uganda's evolving political landscape.
PLU's emphasis on 'tributary' ties to the NRM raises questions about the boundaries between party and civic activism in Uganda. While the movement denies any intent to challenge the ruling party, its growing presence in regions like Acholi could shape future electoral strategies. The December 16 hearing on the Kinkizi East petition and other local issues also illustrate the complex interplay between grassroots mobilization, legal processes, and political priorities in the region.