The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has launched a comprehensive campaign to bolster support for President Museveni ahead of the upcoming elections, while warning that individuals masquerading as supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) are actively working to sabotage the process.
The announcement was made in Kampala during the rollout of the organisation’s support-gathering initiative.
At the event, held at Batvally Primary School, PLU Vice Chairman Michael Toyota Nuwagira said intelligence gathered by the group had revealed a plot by imposters pretending to back the President while secretly undermining government interests.
“We are not naive,” Nuwagira said. “We have observed attempts to manipulate the electoral process, and we have identified those who masquerade as supporters of the President while harbouring hidden agendas. This is why we are deploying technology to meticulously monitor the election and protect the will of the people.”
Nuwagira said the PLU’s tech-driven plan aims to prevent a repeat of the alleged irregularities the group believes affected the 2021 elections.
The initiative, he explained, focuses on four core areas: real-time vote tracking, data verification, secure communication systems, and a nationwide public awareness campaign on electoral integrity.
Under the proposed framework, the organisation will use digital tools to track results as they are tallied, cross-check voter and polling-station data, and communicate securely with its volunteers.
The PLU also plans to sensitise the public on recognising and reporting suspicious activity.
Nuwagira said the organisation intends to collaborate closely with the NRM to ensure a smooth campaign but cautioned party members against delegating all responsibility to the PLU.
“We are ready to work hand in hand with the NRM to secure President Museveni's victory,” he said.
“However, we urge our NRM colleagues not to relinquish all responsibilities to us. We will work together, each playing a vital role in our common goal.”
Reactions to the initiative have been mixed. Supporters say the move will deter fraud and improve confidence in the electoral process.
Critics argue that the PLU’s involvement risks blurring the line between partisan activity and electoral oversight, raising questions about transparency, legality, and the neutrality of the monitoring tools.
Nuwagira used the launch to call for calm, unity, and respect during the campaign period. He urged both PLU and NRM members to avoid confrontation, intimidation, or actions that could inflame tensions, stressing the need to respect differing views.
“This is a critical time for our nation,” he said. “We must work together to create a peaceful environment where voters can freely express their choices.”
He cautioned against belittling opposition supporters, warning that hostility could be exploited by actors seeking to divide the country.
He also called for strict adherence to the rule of law and fair electoral conduct.
The PLU’s new strategy comes ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested election, with President Museveni widely anticipated to seek another term.
The technology-driven approach—lauded by some and questioned by others—adds a new dimension to Uganda’s electoral landscape, signalling an increasingly digital future for political mobilisation and vote protection efforts.