Kampala youth, business community endorse Gen. Muhoozi’s 2031 presidential bid

KAMPALA - Over 40 young entrepreneurs under their umbrella body, the Kampala Youth Business Community, have endorsed Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba as their preferred candidate for Uganda’s 2031 presidential elections.

The group, affiliated with the Kwagalana Group of Kampala city top businesspeople, on Thursday presented a petition to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) secretariat. Pledging to work with them.

They were welcomed by the PLU national vice chairman, Michael Nuwagira, popularly known as Toyota, and Secretary General, Fadil Twalla, at the Naguru offices.

The group leader, Ssalongo Gideon Kabuye Kirumira, said the over 4 members comprising different businesses mainly in real estate, gas and oil, tourism and hospitality, ICT, among others, were committed to supporting PLU and all its activities. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The group leader, Ssalongo Gideon Kabuye Kirumira, said the over 4 members comprising different businesses mainly in real estate, gas and oil, tourism and hospitality, ICT, among others, were committed to supporting PLU and all its activities.

“Together we represent thousands of jobs and businesses that drive Uganda’s economy; we stand here today because our elders in business set an example when they came and endorsed Gen Kainerugaba,” Kirumira said.

Among other things, he said they support Muhoozi for his efforts to fight corruption, working to improve Uganda’s relations with neighbouring countries and helping Ugandans who were stranded in South Africa, among others.

“We are here to follow the vision of our elders, and we pledge our endorsement to the proven leader of our generation with a track record, Gen Muhoozi for 2031,” he said.

He explained that the group is ready to partner with PLU to bring the voices of the businesses to the table and build Uganda.

Nuwagira welcomed the young entrepreneurs, saying their support reflected the continuity between the older and younger generations of businesspeople and political leaders.

“We are happy that young entrepreneurs support PLU. This group is similar to PLU because we have the Kwagalana Group of senio entrepreneurs, just as we have the National Resistance Movement (NRM). We all want continuity,” he said.

Nuwagira commended the Kwagalana Group for allowing their children to embrace PLU, saying the elders supported President Yoweri Museveni 100 percent during the previous election.

He said business and politics are closely linked, arguing that political instability makes it difficult for business to thrive.

“Professionally, I am a businessman. Politics is part-time, but they move together. You cannot do successful business when politics is bad,: he said, citing Sudan and South Sudan as examples of countries where political instability has affected business.

He said PLU understands the challenges facing entrepreneurs and would work towards addressing them.

Nuwagira said Gen. MK they are supporting is not an ordinary Ugandan who will ignore their concerns and challenges, but that he is committed to making sure that Uganda takes another shape.

“We appreciate the old generation of NRM and what they have done because it was not easy where we came from, so we have to appreciate them for where we have reached, and it is our duty now to take this country to another level,” he said and invited the group to join their barazas (community meetings) and actively participate in monthly
national cleaning exercises to show their willingness and commitment to the national cause.

He pledged to join them when they start cleaning Kampala.

PLU Secretary General, Fadil Twalla, who earlier had a brief discussion with the group's top leaders, commended the young entrepreneurs, saying their involvement reflected the sacrifice made by their parents under NRM.

He explained that PLU is a civic organisation that works with the NRM under the Tukopamoja arrangement, which he says remains in force.

“As children of the NRM, we are passionate about the continuity of the NRM,” he said, adding that the older generation has supported the party and contributed to the peace Uganda has enjoyed for over 40 years.