KYANKWANZI, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the chairman of the ruling government, National Resistance Movement (NRM), is set to open the party’s high-level retreat today at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
The week-long induction program has brought together newly elected Members of Parliament, senior party officials, and members of the Central Executive Committee, with a strong call for unity, discipline, and active participation dominating the opening messages.
Last night, the NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong welcomed the legislators and described the gathering as part of the party’s long-standing tradition of preparing new MPs for their national and parliamentary duties.
He urged participants to treat the retreat as a critical moment to reflect on the needs of their constituencies, the country’s future, and the party’s direction. Todwong emphasized the importance of minimizing distractions and making full use of the calm environment at Kyankwanzi to engage in meaningful discussions.
“We are meeting at a time when the country faces several important issues that require careful thought and deliberation,” he said, noting that the setting provides an opportunity for leaders to contribute thoughtfully to national discourse.
Todwong also congratulated the MPs on their election to the 12th Parliament, acknowledging the challenges many faced during the electoral process. He assured those with pending election petitions of continued support from the party.
In addition, he extended an invitation to Independent Members of Parliament to collaborate with the NRM, revealing plans to integrate willing legislators into party activities through a structured memorandum of cooperation.
Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja-Nsereko outlined the objectives and structure of the retreat, stressing the importance of ideological alignment and collective focus among leaders.
Running from April 7 to April 15, the retreat is themed around strengthening the party’s capacity to safeguard national progress and accelerate Uganda’s transition to a higher middle-income economy.
Namayanja explained that the program will include presentations from President Museveni, senior party leaders, cabinet ministers, technocrats, academics, and private sector representatives to provide a comprehensive perspective on national priorities.
She said the retreat aims to orient members of the 12th Parliament on their responsibilities, build cohesion within the NRM parliamentary caucus, and forge consensus on key policy priorities.
Key topics scheduled for discussion include ideological grounding, parliamentary effectiveness, political economy, human capital development, job and wealth creation, and national security.
According to Namayanja, the expected outcomes include stronger ideological clarity, improved legislative performance, enhanced unity within the party, and a shared roadmap to drive Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Both Todwong and Namayanja underscored the need for discipline, unity, and active engagement throughout the retreat, urging participants to play a meaningful role in shaping the country’s development agenda.
