Former Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru, has vowed to spearhead intense grassroots mobilization for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declaring the Chief of Defence Forces as the ultimate guarantee of national peace and continuity.
Ecweru made the remarks while leading a delegation of former Arrow Boys fighters to the Office of the PLU National Chairman, where they formally endorsed Gen. Kainerugaba's signature drive. Receiving them, Hon. Daudi Kabanda, Head of the Office, commended Ecweru for his contribution to Uganda through his various initiatives as both a fighter and a political leader.
Reflecting on their shared wartime history, Ecweru asserted: "MK to us represents peace; MK to us represents development," saying the general is the central pillar for ongoing regional stability.
Recalling the onset of the LRA incursions on June 15, 2003, Ecweru explained how he immediately left his administrative posting in Kasese to urge national security leadership to mobilize local youth and ex-combatants. That initiative gave birth to the Arrow Boys, a local civil defense force that grew to 9,014 fighters operating alongside the main state military structure.
Ecweru pointed to the battle of Apopong as the decisive turning point of the regional counter-offensive. During the engagement, joint forces neutralized 32 LRA commanders in a single day—a major blow within a broader push that eliminated over 50 senior rebel commanders within six months, effectively breaking the insurgents' advance into eastern Uganda. He emphasized that frontline command, supported directly on the ground by senior military officers including Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Yoweri Museveni, proved critical in coordinating fire support, securing intelligence, and cutting off enemy escape routes alongside local commanders. Following the victory, top security leadership visited the field to inspect positions and commend the joint forces.
Transitioning from military history to contemporary governance, Ecweru stressed that the endorsement movement has evolved beyond physical defense to tackle institutional graft head-on. He emphasized that public accountability must accompany peace and development, aiming to resonate with a broader electorate demanding administrative reform alongside security.
Reaffirming his commitment to regional stability and political transition, Ecweru vowed to maintain active village-by-village mobilization. Rather than relying solely on central rallies, organizers are leveraging their standing as wartime liberators to comb rural communities for physical signatures under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU)—translating historical loyalties into verifiable political momentum ahead of upcoming electoral milestones specifically the 2031 elections in which Gen Kainerugaba is expected to participate as a presidential candidate.
