Gen Muhoozi Defends MP Mawanda Amidst Corruption Charges

Chief of Defence Forces General Kainerugaba Muhoozi has expressed his defense of MP Michael Mawanda, stating that Mawanda is being persecuted for his allegiance to him.

Through a series of posts on his X account on Thursday night, Muhoozi issued a warning to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

The Igara East MP was arrested alongside Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu of Elgon County and Paul Akamba of Busiki County. The trio, along with lawyers and other officials, are accused of defrauding the government of hundreds of billions of shillings.

Mawanda’s arrest was linked to his involvement with the West Mengo Growers Cooperative Society. He recommended that the Ministry of Trade release UGX 2 billion to the SACCO through a law firm, but only UGX 50 million reached the intended beneficiaries.

Muusa Bagala, the accountant for the society, testified before a parliamentary committee that he confronted Mawanda about the disbursement. Bagala reported that Mawanda suggested a UGX 50 million “token” for the SACCO’s leaders, facilitated by M/S Justin Mungoma and Co. Advocates at KCB Bank in Kampala.

Muhoozi defends Mawanda

However, according to Muhoozi, who heads the Patriotic League Uganda, where Mawanda serves as head of Discipline, all these allegations are unfounded. Muhoozi, who called for Mawanda’s freedom, revealed that his arrest was engineered by politically dilapidated persons in the NRM. He further stressed that the MP is being persecuted for the “great crime” of supporting Muhoozi Kainerugaba in Bushenyi.

“My friend, Michael Mawanda, is in prison (and they think we shall stay quiet forever) while people who have stolen from this country for decades are still Ministers?? Mzee should hear our cry for change. That’s his only crime. Supporting me. Free Mawanda!” Kainerugaba Muhoozi stated.

Following his arrest on June 21, Mawanda was charged in the Anti-Corruption Court of Kampala and remanded to Luzira Prison. He has been in Luzira Prison for over a month as the Court denied him bail.The posts by the first son sparked online discourse over his stance on corruption. While the majority of members of the PLU describe the general as a staunch anti-graft crusader, his defense of an ally facing graft charges has sparked debate.