Kampala business tycoons Godfrey Kirumira and Sudhir Ruparelia have endorsed Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s bid for the Ugandan presidency in 2031, adding prominent voices from the business community to a growing mobilisation around the Chief of Defence Forces’ political ambitions.
The endorsements were made on Monday, September 7, at the Patriotic league of Uganda (PLU) headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, during an event that also marked the launch of the organisation’s digital platform and the public mobilisation for Gen. Kainerugaba’s 2031 bid.
The Naguru event brought together political leaders, Members of Parliament, PLU officials, religious figures and members of the business community.
Among those reported to have attended were:
* Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa.
* Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya.
* NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda Mike Mukula.
* Minister of State for ICT Balaam Barugahara.
* Businessmen Godfrey Kirumira and Sudhir Ruparelia.
* Andrew Mwenda.
* Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo.
* PLU Secretary General Fadhil Twalla.
PLU’s own public communication described the gathering as the official launch of its digital platform and the mobilisation around Gen. Kainerugaba’s 2031 presidential bid.
Kirumira Says Business Community Is Supporting Muhoozi
Kirumira, who was identified as chairman of the Kwagalana Group, expressed support for Gen. Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions.
According to reports from the event, Kirumira said the business community was on board with the campaign and expressed anticipation of Gen. Kainerugaba eventually taking over the presidency from his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
PLU also publicly thanked Kirumira and Ruparelia for expressing support for Gen. Kainerugaba and described their participation as part of a broader national conversation about Uganda’s future.
Tayebwa Defends Muhoozi’s Political Ambitions
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who served as chief guest at the Naguru event, defended Gen. Kainerugaba against criticism over his involvement in political mobilisation while still serving in the military.
Tayebwa argued that Kainerugaba was not imposing himself on Ugandans and instead said supporters were encouraging him to pursue the presidency.
He also maintained that there was no contradiction between the activities of PLU and the National Resistance Movement, saying ministers should not fear openly associating with PLU because of concerns that such participation could be interpreted as disloyalty to President Museveni.
Tayebwa further said Kainerugaba’s prospective 2031 candidature had the support of the President and NRM Central Executive Committee members, according to reporting from the event.
Bukenya Joins Supporters
Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya also expressed support for Gen. Kainerugaba and PLU.
Bukenya reportedly described Kainerugaba as a political idea whose time had come and compared the growth of PLU to the earlier development of the NRM.
He recalled his involvement in the signing of NRM founding documents in 2005 and said he saw similarities between the early growth of NRM and the current expansion of PLU.
Bukenya also called for the involvement of unemployed young people in PLU activities, particularly in Wakiso and the wider Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Mukula Says It Is Muhoozi’s Time
Mike Mukula, NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda, also backed Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions.
Mukula described the General as a warrior who had served in the military during earlier conflicts, including operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army in Teso.
He also presented a proposed 10 point programme for PLU, calling on members and officials to contribute ideas towards developing what he described as an improved programme.
Mukula interpreted the presence of ministers, Members of Parliament, NRM leaders and cultural figures at the event as evidence of growing support for Kainerugaba’s 2031 ambitions.
PLU Targets Wider Mobilisation
PLU officials said the organisation plans to continue mobilising support across different sections of Ugandan society.
PLU Chairman Toyota Nuwagira announced plans for a dedicated baraza for Members of Parliament at the organisation’s Naguru headquarters, where legislators would discuss how the organisation can pursue its political objectives.
According to reports from the event, Nuwagira also spoke about an informal “MK Movie” metaphor to describe the unfolding political campaign, saying supporters would play different roles in the effort.
The organisation has also been using its newly launched digital platform to register members, coordinate activities and communicate with supporters. PLU describes itself as a civic organisation and pressure group operating within the ruling NRM rather than as a separate political party.
A Broader political mobilisation
The Naguru gathering comes as PLU continues to attract political, business and civic figures around Kainerugaba’s prospective 2031 presidential campaign.
The participation of figures from different sectors was used by PLU organisers to project the organisation as a broad-based platform capable of mobilising support beyond its original political constituency.
However, claims that the entire country or business community has unanimously endorsed Kainerugaba remain political assertions made by supporters rather than independently established facts.
The 2031 Question
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s potential presidential candidature is already becoming an increasingly prominent feature of Uganda’s political conversation ahead of the 2031 elections.
The latest endorsements from prominent business figures add an economic dimension to the mobilisation, while the involvement of senior political figures demonstrates the extent to which the question of Kainerugaba’s political future is being publicly debated.
For PLU, the immediate challenge will be turning public endorsements and mobilisation activities into a wider political organisation capable of sustaining support across Uganda.
For the broader political landscape, the developments signal that discussions about the post Museveni succession and the 2031 elections are increasingly moving into the public arena.
