Gashumba Scoffs at those Saying Aber, Balaam Ministerial Appointments Will Weaken PLU!

The Central Region Vice Chairperson for Patriotic League of Uganda-PLU, Frank Gashumba has scoffed at people who are saying the appointment of his Northern and Western region counterparts Dr Lillian Aber and Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi respectively   into Cabinet will weaken the civic organization.

President Museveni last week appointed Balaam as the State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and Lillian Aber as the State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and then the overall Chairperson of PLU General  Muhoozi Kainerugaba   as the Chief of Defense Forces .

However, since then, social media platforms have been awash with statements from people opposed to Muhoozi’s bid for presidency saying that these appointments for the people who have been at the helm of the new rebranded pressure group which was initially known as MK Movement, will weaken PLU as they will now have to focus and pay allegiance to the appointing authority.

Dr Balaam Barugahara the State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

But Gashumba totally disagrees with them.

While at the swearing in After Party ceremony of Balaam and Aber on Friday night in Kampala, Gashumba    scoffed at those making statements saying PLU is very lucky that they now have people in Government who will be informing them of the governments mind/position.

He said that the appointment of Muhoozi as CDF is a sign of confidence in him since he has a vast experience in commanding the army having previously commanded the Land Forces and the elite wing of the army, the Special Forces Command.

According to Gashumba, PLU has in the recent past made very many Barazas but out of those held in various places in the country , Muhoozi has only attended six of them namely:  in Soroti, Kapchorwa , Kabale, Jinja , Kasambya, Masaka and Kabale. This, Gashumba said means that people don’t come to PLU Barazas because they want to see Muhoozi but instead to listen to his (Muhoozi’s) message of the Civic Group.

Left to Right: Ministers Frank Tumwebaze, Balaam Barugahara , Lillian Aber and CEO Vision Group Don Wanyama at the party.

At the  same event , Gashumba asked people to develop a heart of celebrating and congratulating their colleagues who have taken a step higher than them whenever they achieve something in their lives for instance like the recent appointments.

He then congratulated Balaam saying he is not a hypocrite abut rather  a hardworking person who is so loyal to Muhoozi and therefore his appointment was timely and well deserved just like Aber’s.

The Vice Chairperson added that he knows some people are bleeding and dying deep in their hearts and he advised them to go and hang.

“If you want to hang, I can provide a rope for you and an amazing tree in Kampala where you can go and hang from. Balaam was rewarded because of what he has done for PLU “, said Gashumba.

Gashumba further rallied PLU members  to mobilize even the opposition people to join them saying that one cannot fail to mobilize them because of their political differences.

Some of the guests at the party.

He then described Aber as a mother who is always softhearted and one who has always acted as a mediator in case of a disagreement.

Gashumba also warned those who have been stealing money especially the soldiers to take themselves to police when it’s still early adding that Muhoozi has zero tolerance for corruption

In her remarks, Aber said their offices will remain open for all people but she will not tolerate those who come to misguide them.

“We want a corrupt free Uganda. President Museveni told us to mobilize people into wealth creation and we will walk the talk”, said Aber.

Dr Lillian Aber, the State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees

On his part, Minister Balaam Barugahara pledged to be on Muhoozi’s side until death.  He also strongly appealed to the youth not to start begging him to give them jobs because he has no power to do that as a Minister.

He said he will take patriotism to primary schools .

Minister for Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze challenged the new appointees to always keep humble and be resilient well knowing that they are accountable to the President. He asked them to use their first 100 days in office to understand the policies in their ministries and exercise their powers judiciously.

Some of the guests that attended the ceremony.

Others who attended included the Chief Executive Officer for Vision Group Don Wanyama,  Rakai RDC  Sarah Kiyimba, former Minister for Youth and Children Ronald Kibuule , Pastor Aloysius Bujingo, Shadrach Nzeire Kaguta, Democratic Party Vice President Mukasa Mbidde ,  PLU mobilizer for Kampala Cedric Babu Ndilima several Members of Parliament and mobilizers of PLU among other dignitaries.