The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has summoned its Vice Chairman for Central Region, Frank Gashumba to appear before its disciplinary committee for a post on X (formerly Twitter) which was “understood to be a public attack” on the Chairman of PLU, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“I am writing to inform you that you are required to attend a disciplinary hearing at 1500 hours on Wednesday, 29th May 2024 at the PLU Secretariat, Plot 7 Saddler Lane, Naguru,” said Micheal Mawanda in a letter to Gashumba dated May 27, 2024.
Mawanda, who is in charge of enforcing discipline in PLU, informed Gashumba that “the purpose of the hearing is to consider an allegation of misconduct against you.”
He added: “The allegation is that on 26th of May 2024, you posted a message on a social media platform X, which you addressed to the head of UPDF and other security agencies stating thus:
“If you cannot protect Ugandans with their properties, simply resign. Everyday we see social media clips of Ugandans being assaulted, robbed and even murdered by gangs on the streets of Kampala and several testimonial reports and recordings on different categories of young females, males, traumatized by the thungery (sic) even in broad day light. We as Ugandans, we are wondering why they pay you people salaries. You are paid to protect lives and properties. If these gangs have over powered you, you don’t qualify to wear our uniforms…If UPDF can pacify Somalia, South Sudan and some parts of Congo how can it fail to wipe out these broad day light thugs.”
Mawanda said Gashumba “proceeded to attach a picture of the Chief of Defence Forces and Chairman of Patriotic League of Uganda, and to tag his X handle as further manifestation of the direction of this attack. Your words meant and were understood to be a public attack on the Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda.”
Contacted for comment, Gashumba confirmed he had received the summons.
“I did not directly attack Gen Muhoozi. I just attached his picture and that of Abbas Byakaba’s on my X post because they are the heads of the armed forces,” said Gashumba.
“I wanted to draw the attention of security personnel to the spike in crime in Kampala. The pictures of the heads of security helped me make my posts to trend on X,” he added.
“Did I ask Gen Muhoozi to resign? No. I like and support him. I have his pictures in my living room and study room. Can you do that if you don’t like him?”
Hon David Kabanda who is the Secretary General of Patriotic League of Uganda responded to Frank Gashumba X post.
Kampala has lately witnessed increased criminality with armed gangs terrorising quiet neighbourhoods.
However, Mawanda told Gashumba that, “Your words have damaged the reputation of our nascent organisation and its leadership,” adding, “Please confirm receipt of this letter and your attendance of the hearing.”
A civic organisation led by Gen Muhoozi, PLU says it’sworking towards reviving in Ugandans a spirit of good citizenship, national pride, national service, protection of vulnerable persons, combating corruption and wastage of public resources, and protection of the environment.