The Patriotic League of Uganda has called on its supporters to stay calm following the arrest of its Director for Mobilization and Igara East MP, Michael Mawanda.
Mawanda was arrested on Tuesday on corruption charges.
He and two other lawmakers, Mudimi Wamakuyu of Elgon County and Paul Akamba of Busiki County, are accused of diverting over Shs 3.4 billion meant for the Buyaka Cooperatives Society in Bulambuli district.
The three Members of Parliament and their associates were on Friday arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala to take pleas on the graft charges against them.
A multitude of PLU supporters, including Secretary General David, who doubles as a Kasambya County lawmaker, gathered at the courthouse premises, clad in t-shirts featuring the portraits of Mawanda and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The supporters wanted to show solidarity with Mawanda.
In a statement late Friday evening, Kabanda asked PLU supporters to stay calm.
Kabanda said that, much as the PLU does not condone corruption, its member, Mawanda, is innocent until proven guilty by the court.
“In as much as the PLU, in the strongest terms possible, condemns corruption, impunity, and abuse of office, we also note that Hon. Mawanda is, under the law, innocent until proven guilty by a competent court,” Kabanda’s statement reads in part.
“We also trust that the law shall be applied uniformly and that all those involved in every manner of corruption shall be brought to book. In the meantime, we appeal to all PLU supporters to stay calm as the law takes its course.”