Why Katungi Was Expelled from PLU Leadership

Lieutenant (Rtd) Michael Katungi Mpeirwe’s political journey is a story of ambition, rapid rise, and sudden fall. Until recently, he was one of the most visible figures in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), the movement championed by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. His appointment as Commissioner for External Affairs made him central to the organisation’s international outlook, and his active role in mobilising youth won him recognition as one of the MK Movement’s most energetic faces.

But in a matter of months, Katungi’s fortunes shifted dramatically. From being a trusted aide shaping PLU’s external relations, he now finds himself isolated, expelled from leadership, and entangled in an international scandal.

From PLU Mobiliser to Political Aspirant

Katungi’s early days in PLU were marked by visibility and drive. He was often seen representing the movement at high-level events, meeting with diaspora communities, and speaking about Gen. Muhoozi’s vision. For a retired officer, this role gave him renewed relevance and thrust him into the national political conversation.

With momentum on his side, Katungi sought to convert his profile into formal political power. He entered the NRM primaries, hoping to ride on his PLU popularity to clinch a parliamentary flag. For his supporters, it was a natural progression from movement politics to mainstream governance. Yet, his attempt fell short. Losing in the primaries not only dimmed his political hopes but also highlighted the challenge of translating mobilization strength into an electoral victory within the ruling party’s highly competitive structures.

The Indictment That Changed Everything

The real turning point came in August 2025, when Katungi’s name appeared in an indictment unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The case alleged that he was part of an international conspiracy to traffic weapons valued at nearly Shs200 billion to Mexico’s Jalisco cartel, one of the most feared criminal organisations in the world.

According to U.S. prosecutors, the network falsified end-user certificates, disguising military-grade weapons as destined for African armies, with Tanzania cited as one of the supposed destinations. A test consignment of AK-47 rifles had reportedly been shipped from Bulgaria, with grander plans for surface-to-air missiles and drones.

Katungi firmly denied the charges, describing them as malicious and politically engineered. “These are mere accusations meant to tarnish my name,” he said, urging the public to treat the reports with contempt. Yet, in politics, perception often weighs as heavily as proof.

Within days of the news breaking, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba moved decisively. He announced Katungi’s expulsion from the PLU Central Committee and stripped him of his commissioner role. Muhoozi also declared that henceforth, only the PLU Chairman would handle foreign affairs appointments, a move widely seen as a reaction to the scandal.

A Career at the Crossroads

For Michael Katungi, the expulsion marked a dramatic fall from grace. In just one year, he had gone from a rising PLU star with international assignments and local political ambitions to a sidelined figure facing international allegations and domestic setbacks.

The dual loss, defeat in the NRM primaries and dismissal from PLU leadership, has left him politically stranded. For many observers, Katungi’s journey is a cautionary tale about the volatility of political fortunes in Uganda. The same platforms that elevate can quickly abandon when tides change.

Still, his story is far from over. Whether Katungi clears his name and stages a comeback, or fades into political obscurity, will depend on how he navigates both the legal storm abroad and the credibility gap at home. For now, his trajectory serves as a reminder that in Uganda’s dynamic political environment, the line between power and isolation can be very thin.