By James Alomu


Hundreds of political, civic and community leaders from the Teso sub-region have unanimously endorsed Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba as their preferred candidate for the presidency of Uganda in the 2031–2036 term.

The endorsement was made on Tuesday during a high-level consultative meeting held at Soroti Hotel, bringing together leaders and supporters from across Teso under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).

The meeting formed part of a nationwide civic endorsement campaign being conducted by the PLU to mobilise support for Gen. Kainerugaba. The campaign, which includes physical endorsement books and an online platform, was formally launched on September 1, 2026, following the announcement that Gen. Kainerugaba would seek the presidency in the 2031 general elections.

The Soroti meeting brought together a broad cross-section of Teso's political and civic leadership, including Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, LC5 chairpersons, NRM district leaders, district women and youth leaders, PLU district coordinators, opinion leaders and elders.

Among the prominent national figures who attended were Minister of State for Teso Affairs Ongalo Obote, Minister of State for Defence Musa Ecweru, former Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo and State Minister for Energy Hellen Adoa. Members of the PLU regional executive were also present.

The meeting was organised by PLU Regional Coordinator for Teso, Peter Ogwang, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ngariam and Minister of State for Education and Sports in charge of Sports.

Addressing the gathering after the resolution was adopted, Ogwang welcomed the endorsement, describing it as a reflection of the wishes of the people of Teso.

“I am extremely very happy that the people of Teso have spoken out. This shows that we are moving in the right direction,” Ogwang said amid cheers from the gathering.

Ogwang said Teso's endorsement was part of a wider national campaign, noting that similar consultative and endorsement activities had recently been conducted in areas including Mubende, Kabale, Rukungiri, West Nile and Ankole.

Supporters of Gen. Kainerugaba in Teso have also linked their endorsement to his previous military service in the region. Teso experienced years of insecurity associated with the Lord's Resistance Army insurgency and cattle rustling, with Gen. Kainerugaba having served as a field commander during Uganda People's Defence Forces operations in the region.

For the PLU, the endorsement campaign is being conducted within what the organisation describes as its current civic role under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), rather than as an independent political party.

The Soroti resolution now places Teso among a growing number of Ugandan sub-regions where leaders and supporters have publicly called on Gen. Kainerugaba to accept a presidential bid and take over the country's leadership after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

For many of the Teso leaders who attended the meeting, the endorsement was presented not only as a political declaration but also as recognition of Gen. Kainerugaba's contribution to the restoration of security in the region.

The unanimous resolution marks another significant step in the emerging political mobilisation around Gen. Kainerugaba ahead of the 2031 elections, although the election remains several years away.