The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has denied claims that its supporters threatened to storm the Kabaka of Buganda’s palace following the group’s September 18 demonstration at the Turkish Embassy in Kampala over Ugandan government critic Fred Kajubi Lumbuye.
The denial followed a post by The Kampala Journal on X alleging that PLU supporters had threatened to target the Kabaka’s palace because Lumbuye is a Muganda and Buganda institutions had remained silent over his case.
The post stated: “We will storm the Kabaka’s palace next because Lumbuye is a Muganda and Buganda is silent,” attributing the remarks to PLU supporters.
PLU Executive Secretary Daudi Kabanda rejected the claim, describing it as fake.
“This is FAKE! We are aware of who manages this page and its sponsors. Our leader General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has great love and respect for the Kabaka,” Kabanda said in a post on X.
The allegation emerged a day after hundreds of PLU supporters marched to the Turkish Embassy in Kampala demanding that Türkiye hand over Lumbuye to Ugandan authorities.
The September 18 demonstration was organised following a directive by PLU chairman and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and was led by PLU Secretary General Fadil Twalla.
PLU said its protest was focused on Lumbuye’s continued stay in Türkiye and reports that he had sought asylum there. Ugandan authorities have previously accused Lumbuye of offences including harmful propaganda, incitement and cyber-related crimes; his legal status in Türkiye has not been publicly clarified.
The Turkish Embassy closed its Kampala offices on September 18 because of the planned demonstration. Daily Monitor reported that embassy representatives advised the protesters to pursue their concerns through diplomatic channels.
There were also reports of brief clashes between some demonstrators and riot police during the protest. The PLU subsequently expressed concern over what it described as the “reported use of force” against its supporters and called for restraint, dialogue and respect for peaceful assembly.
The claim about the Kabaka’s palace has not been independently substantiated. Kabanda’s denial specifically rejected any connection between PLU’s protest over Lumbuye and a planned action against Buganda’s cultural institution.
The development comes against a backdrop of heightened political and cultural sensitivities surrounding Lumbuye, whose online criticism of the Ugandan government has attracted a substantial following, particularly among sections of the Baganda community.
The protest also coincided with a meeting between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Uganda, Mehmet Fatih Ak, on September 17. State House said the two discussed matters of bilateral interest but did not disclose details.
The allegation concerning the Kabaka’s palace remains a claim circulating on social media, while the PLU leadership has publicly denied it.
