Kampala — The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has appointed Kasambya County MP David Kabanda to head the newly created Office of the Chairman, a move that further expands his responsibilities within the political organisation led by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The appointment, announced by Gen. Kainerugaba, comes after Mr Kabanda served as the PLU’s General Secretary, a position in which he oversaw the organisation’s administrative and mobilisation activities during its formative years.
Although the PLU has not publicly outlined the full mandate of the new office, political observers say the position is expected to coordinate the chairman’s activities and strengthen the organisation’s internal management.
The appointment has also sparked debate among supporters and political analysts over Mr Kabanda’s growing influence within the movement. While some supporters view him as one of the organisation’s most influential figures, the PLU has not officially defined any hierarchy ranking its leaders beyond their designated offices.
Mr Kabanda has remained one of Gen. Kainerugaba’s closest political allies and has consistently defended the PLU’s agenda in public engagements.
Before joining the PLU leadership, Mr Kabanda was active in youth mobilisation within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), where he emerged as one of the prominent youth leaders supporting President Museveni.
During the mid-2010s, he was involved in political mobilisation that often placed him in competition with other youth groups, including the Uganda Poor Youth Movement led by Buyinza Adam Luzindana.
The rivalry between the two youth camps was among the more visible political contests within the NRM’s youth structures at the time. Both Mr Kabanda and Mr Luzindana later lost their respective leadership positions before returning to public life through different political paths.
Mr Kabanda subsequently became one of the founding leaders of the Patriotic League of Uganda and served as its General Secretary, a role supporters credit with helping establish the organisation’s structures across the country.
Political analysts say his latest appointment reflects the confidence that the PLU leadership has placed in him as the organisation continues to expand its activities.
The creation of the Office of the Chairman is viewed as part of broader efforts to strengthen the movement’s administrative coordination and support the work of its national leadership.
The Patriotic League of Uganda, chaired by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has in recent years expanded its mobilisation activities across the country, with its leaders saying the organisation seeks to promote patriotism, national unity and citizen participation in national development.
Mr Kabanda’s appointment is expected to see him play a more central role in coordinating the chairman’s office, although the organisation is yet to publicly outline the office’s specific responsibilities or reporting structure.