Just days after removing Frank Malimungu Gashumba from a senior leadership role within the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has sent a message that many observers interpret as an attempt to calm speculation about a growing rift between the two men.
The Chief of Defence Forces and founder of PLU announced that he intends to hold a private meeting with Gashumba and stressed that their personal relationship remains intact despite recent political developments.
In a message posted on X, Muhoozi described Gashumba as a close friend and assured the public that he remains under protection.
“I plan to have a private discussion with my brother Frank Gashumba very soon. There is a lot to discuss with him. He remains a close friend of mine. Nobody should even dream of touching him. He is protected,” Muhoozi wrote.
The statement came shortly after sweeping leadership changes within PLU that saw Gashumba removed from his position as Vice President for the Buganda region. He was replaced by Kiryowa Kiwanuka, a prominent legal figure and former Attorney General in President Yoweri Museveni’s previous administration.
The reshuffle also affected other senior officials, including Secretary General David Kabanda Ntyazo, who was replaced by Fadil Twalla while remaining a member of the party’s central leadership structure.
Although no official explanation was provided for the changes, they followed weeks of intense debate triggered by comments Gashumba made regarding the situation of Ugandans of Rwandophone heritage.
Gashumba had argued that constitutional concerns affecting members of the community were not receiving adequate attention and warned that frustration could escalate if grievances continued to be ignored. His reference to the possibility of an M23-style movement emerging in Uganda quickly became one of the most discussed political issues in the country.
The controversy unfolded against a broader national debate over identity, citizenship and belonging. It intensified after questions were raised about the eligibility of Dr. Lawrence Muganga for a government appointment, leading supporters to rally around him and challenge claims about his background.
Gashumba became one of the most outspoken voices in that debate, insisting that individuals with long family histories in Uganda should not be treated as outsiders. His criticism extended to influential political figures and institutions he believed were contributing to discrimination against Rwandophone Ugandans.
Muhoozi initially responded by calling for internal discussions within PLU, emphasizing that such remarks required clarification. His latest statement, however, appears to shift the focus from confrontation to dialogue.
Interestingly, Gashumba himself reacted positively to his removal from the leadership position. Speaking on Radio4’s Entugga program, he suggested that the role had placed restrictions on his ability to express himself freely and that leaving it had given him greater independence.
His comments fueled speculation that he may continue playing a prominent role in public debates, particularly on issues affecting communities he believes have been marginalized.
For now, attention is turning to the private meeting Muhoozi says he intends to hold with Gashumba. Whether the discussion leads to reconciliation, a new political understanding, or simply a reaffirmation of personal friendship remains unclear.
What is certain is that the relationship between the two influential figures continues to shape conversations about politics, citizenship and identity in Uganda.
