Former Aruu County MP Odonga Otto has opened the possibility of working with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), while former Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa has also reportedly indicated that he is willing to engage with the movement if certain conditions are respected.The revelations came on Monday during a PLU event where the organisation unveiled its new website and Patriotic Officers Identification Cards, alongside the launch of an endorsement campaign backing Gen Kainerugaba for the presidency.State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, who doubles as PLU Vice President for Western Uganda, welcomed Otto to the gathering despite their differing political backgrounds. Balaam said Otto’s decision to attend and associate with the movement was significant, particularly given their previous political differences.Balaam further revealed that Munyagwa had allegedly reached out to him the previous day, communicating his support for Gen Kainerugaba. He claimed Munyagwa was interested in working with PLU but had raised concerns about alleged attempts by some members of the movement to blackmail him, stressing that people should be respected even when their support is not openly expressed.Munyagwa did not attend the ceremony and had not publicly verified Balaam’s account at the time of reporting. Otto, on the other hand, used the occasion to explain the circumstances under which he would consider cooperating with PLU and said the movement still needed to deal with concerns surrounding human rights.According to Otto, Uganda belongs to all its citizens and any political movement seeking wider support should uphold acceptable human rights standards. He said he did not currently have a PLU number but would be willing to consider taking one if invited to join the organisation.Otto nevertheless acknowledged what he described as Gen Kainerugaba’s efforts in improving road infrastructure and fighting corruption. He suggested that addressing the human rights concerns could remove the major obstacle to his cooperation with PLU, adding that he would be ready to play a coordinating role and mobilise support.The gathering was attended by several notable figures, including businessmen Sudhir Ruparelia and Godfrey Kirumira, who took part in the endorsement activities. PLU maintains that it is a civic organisation and pressure group operating within the NRM rather than a separate political party, as it continues building support around Gen Kainerugaba’s presidential aspirations.
