The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has written to parliament seeking Shs 1.5 billion to facilitate the production and free distribution of more than 200,000 copies of a publication celebrating the life and leadership of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.The publication, titled 52 Dimensions, was produced under the auspices of PLU to commemorate Gen Muhoozi’s 52nd birthday. Its inaugural edition carries the theme, “Resetting the Fact of Default,” a phrase inspired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth’s campaign for the speakership.Oboth-Oboth officially endorsed the publication on Monday during its launch in the Speaker’s boardroom at parliament. Speaking at the launch, the publication’s chief editor, Kenneth Asiimwe, said the theme was chosen because it reflects the values of responsible leadership, integrity, accountability, patriotism, national service, institutional renewal and the fight against corruption.He said the publication features commemorative reflections, feature articles, analytical perspectives, tribute messages and contributions from leaders in the security, governance, parliamentary, judicial, education, media, private sector, cultural, religious and civil society spheres.Asiimwe added that parliament had also enriched the publication through contributions from clerk to parliament Adolf Mwesige, PLU secretary general and member of parliament Fadhil Chemaswet, as well as several other legislators.He said the publishers had formally written to parliament seeking support for the project’s estimated Shs 1.5 billion production, documentation and dissemination budget.According to Asiimwe, the funding would facilitate the printing and free distribution of more than 200,000 copies to schools, universities, public and community libraries, leadership and ideological institutions, youth platforms and other public centres of learning across the country.He said many students, researchers and young people would otherwise be unable to access the publication during its initial production.Asiimwe added that a limited premium edition would be sold at Shs 100,000 per copy to the corporate sector, with proceeds going to the Uganda Childhood Cancer Foundation.Responding, Oboth-Oboth described the publication as an independent initiative worthy of support and said parliament would continue pursuing reforms aimed at restoring balance across all its constitutional mandates.He said parliament’s constitutional responsibilities of legislation, representation, oversight and appropriation are equally important and should be executed without giving undue prominence to one over another.“Representation is just as important as fighting corruption. None of our constitutional mandates is superior to another. We want a parliament that works for everyone, where institutions are respected, accountability is upheld, and the views of Ugandans are represented,” he said.Oboth-Oboth also said patriotism should be embraced by all Ugandans and should not be viewed as exclusive to PLU.“I believe every Ugandan should be patriotic. If you say you are not patriotic, then you are the opposite. Being PLU does not mean it is a political party. It brings together people with shared values – fighting corruption, promoting peace, loving the country and protecting the environment,” he said.The speaker welcomed parliament becoming the first institution to receive the publication and signed the inaugural endorsement board, becoming its first national endorser.According to the publishers, 52 Dimensions is intended not only to commemorate Muhoozi’s leadership journey but also to serve as a civic education resource promoting patriotism, leadership, integrity and national service, with a major focus on making the publication freely accessible to young people and educational institutions across the country.The post PLU seeks Shs 1.5bn from parliament to distribute Muhoozi book appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.