Fresh political drama is building in Kampala after reports emerged that Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General Hon. Daudi Kabanda directed all appointed PLU leaders to physically attend an upcoming demonstration at the Turkish Embassy.
The message reportedly carried a hardline warning.
Any appointed leader who fails to appear would allegedly be considered to have resigned from their position automatically.
The development has immediately intensified already rising tensions surrounding Uganda’s escalating diplomatic standoff linked to controversial government critic and social media activist Fred Lumbuye.
The pressure campaign comes at a time when Uganda’s top leadership has publicly expressed frustration over the Lumbuye matter, which has remained politically sensitive for years.
In recent weeks, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba made explosive public statements targeting Turkey over the issue, threatening serious diplomatic consequences if Uganda’s demands were not addressed. Among the threats mentioned publicly were possible closure of Turkey’s embassy in Kampala, restrictions against Turkish Airlines operations, and a wider diplomatic fallout.
The remarks triggered regional and international attention, with Turkish-linked media and international observers closely monitoring the situation.
Now, the planned PLU-linked demonstration appears to be pushing the matter from online political rhetoric into visible street mobilization.
Inside political circles, the reported “attend or resign” directive is already causing heated debate, with critics questioning whether political appointees are being pressured into participating in what could become a highly sensitive diplomatic protest.
Supporters of the move, however, argue that the demonstration is meant to show patriotism and solidarity with Uganda’s national interests.
By Thursday evening, the Turkish Embassy in Kampala had not publicly responded to the planned demonstration reports.
The latest developments are likely to place even more attention on the already fragile Uganda-Turkey diplomatic relationship, which has repeatedly come under strain over the Lumbuye issue dating back several years.