The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has officially unveiled a structured numerical ranking system for its top leadership, marking a significant step in the organisation’s institutional development.
The announcement was made by PLU Chairman, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who assigned “Patriotic Officer” (PO) numbers to members of the Central Committee.
According to an official statement dated March 20, 2026, released by the Chairman’s office and communicated by Andrew Mwenda, Director of Communications for PLU, through his official X (formerly Twitter), the newly introduced PO numbering system reflects both the historical contributions of members during the founding of the organisation and their seniority within its ranks.
General Muhoozi, who leads the movement, was designated PO 001, signifying his role as founding chairman and first-ranked member.
The numbering currently applies exclusively to members of the Central Committee—the highest governing organ of the PLU—with plans to extend the system to other members as the organisation continues to formalise its structure.
The rankings place Muhoozi as PO 001, followed by Andrew Mwenda as PO 002 and Michael Nuwagira as PO 003.
Other members include Edwin Karugire (PO 004), Daudi Kabanda (PO 005), Balaam Barugahara (PO 006), Michael Mawanda (PO 007), and Lillian Aber (PO 008).
The late Cedric Babu was posthumously recognised as PO 009, while Frank Gashumba (PO 010), Henry Basaliza (PO 011), and Fadil Twala (PO 012) complete the current list.
The numbering system draws inspiration from practices used by the National Resistance Army (NRA), which later evolved into the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
In that system, members who participated in the 1980–85 liberation struggle led by President Museveni were assigned numbers according to their roles, which later became a symbol of authority and seniority within the ruling party.
In its statement, the PLU emphasised that the PO system represents a broader effort to formalise internal governance and establish a clear hierarchy within the organisation.
Additional numbers will be issued “in due course” to members outside the Central Committee as the league expands.
“The numbers reflect the historic role played by each member in the founding of the organisation and also their seniority,” the statement read, underscoring the dual purpose of recognition and organisational clarity.
