Jothan Yamurebire Burobuto, interim chairman of the Party of Labour Uganda (PLU), has written to the Electoral Commission (EC) protesting the alleged harassment of the party’s supporters by security forces.
In a letter dated April,1, Burobuto who has been gathering signatures to register the party claims that one supporter was detained incommunicado for two days in Kyankwanzi.
"Even when the commission facilitated us with an official clearance letter to present to all concerned stakeholders in the respective districts, where we are collecting signatures, in a few districts, persons posturing as security forces continue to harass, intimidate and in some cases even arrest our agents and coordinators," Burobuto says.
He asked for audience from the Electoral Commission chairperson so as to provide details of these cases of harassment.
However, many have opined that the confusion from the similarity between PLU’s abbreviation and that of the Patriotic League Uganda (PLU), a civic organization chaired by First Son and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
It remains unclear whether the Party of Labour Uganda will secure registration, given the naming conflict.
While Gen. Kainerugaba’s group operates as a non-partisan civic body, critics argue it functions like a political outfit.
“Gen. Kainerugaba’s PLU is a civic organization, yet it behaves like a political party. Now that another group is seeking to register under a similar abbreviation, it’ll be interesting to see how the EC handles this, remarked Patrick Murungi, a lawyer and political analyst.
When contacted, Burobuto denied any connection to the Patriotic League Uganda, emphasizing the distinctions between the two entities.
“We are registering a political party, while Gen. Kainerugaba’s group is a civic organization. Ours falls under the EC’s mandate; theirs is registered with the URSB. The names are distinct - ours is Party of Labour Uganda, theirs is Patriotic League Uganda. The difference is clear,” he stated.
“Perhaps we will even appeal to the CDF and his group to join us once we’re registered.”