The Patriotic League of Uganda-PLU disciplinary committee has summoned the PLU Vice Chairman for Central Uganda, Frank Gashumba to appear and explain circumstances surrounding his post on X (formerly Twitter) which was “understood to be a public attack” targeting the Chairman of PLU, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Museveni’s son and Chief of Defence Forces-CDF.
“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:
“If you cannot protect Ugandans with their properties, simply resign. Every day 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 thuggery 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?”
Kampala has lately witnessed increased criminality with armed gangs terrorizing quiet neighborhoods.
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 organization led by Gen Muhoozi, PLU says it’s working 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.
ONCE EMBATTLED: In November 2017, Frank Gashumba and his brother Innocent Kasumba petitioned Nakawa Chief Magistrate Court seeking to be released from custody at a government facility, the special investigation unit Kireka, on grounds that their continued detention was unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.
They had been in detention since 28th and 30th October respectively at the said facility, after being paraded in front of the press by the army where the deputy army spokesman Lt. Col Deo Akiiki said they were impersonating Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) officials with an aim to fleece investors in addition to possession of narcotics.
In November 2019, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court dismissed these fraud and possession of narcotic drug charges against Gashumba and Kasumba. Additional information – CHIMP REPORTS.
