Kyankwanzi, April 8, 2026 — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged newly elected legislators from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to prioritise production and self-reliance, warning that sustainable prosperity cannot be built on dependency or corruption.
Museveni made the remarks while officially opening a week-long retreat for Members of Parliament and party-leaning independents at the National Leadership Institute.
“Prosperity does not come from begging or corruption. Every adult must produce a good or a service and earn from it,” Museveni told the legislators.
The retreat, held under the theme “Aligning the NRM leadership towards protecting the gains and making a bold, qualitative leap towards a higher middle-income status society,” is aimed at equipping MPs with ideological grounding as they begin their term in the 12th Parliament.
Leaders Must Go Beyond Support to Ideology
The President congratulated the MPs on their electoral victory but reminded them that leadership demands deeper understanding of the party’s mission.
“First of all, I congratulate all of you for winning the elections. I also congratulate the NRM and its members in the country for delivering a big victory, although we could have done more if we got rid of some weaknesses,” he said.
He added: “You are now not only followers of the NRM but leaders. A follower may support some aspects of the movement without going deep into its beliefs, but a leader must understand the ideology, philosophy and strategy.”
Museveni likened the Kyankwanzi retreat to a “seminary,” where leaders are trained to analyse and solve societal challenges.
“The political leader must carry out a diagnosis of the society—identify the problems, understand the people and then prescribe solutions,” he said.
Warning Against Identity Politics
The President cautioned MPs against sectarian tendencies, saying they undermine economic progress.
“If we emphasize religion and tribes, some of your products will not be bought. That is why we said we should love Uganda first,” he said.
He stressed that this thinking informed the NRM’s principles of patriotism and later Pan-Africanism, arguing that broader markets are essential for growth.
“Integration means strength. Fragmentation means weakness,” Museveni added, urging support for regional frameworks such as the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Corruption a Threat to National Goals
Museveni warned that corruption remains a major obstacle to government programmes and service delivery.
“If you are corrupt, you not only waste government resources but also become a bad example. I will not tolerate corruption—it diverts us from our mission,” he said.
Responding to concerns raised by Masaka City Woman MP Justine Nameere about drug shortages in public hospitals, Museveni assured action.
“Corruption, including the theft of drugs in government hospitals, shall be tackled very seriously in the new Kisanja,” he said.
Call for Hard Work and Self-Reliance
Drawing from his personal experience, the President emphasised discipline and productivity.
“My father gave me 22 cows in 1965. Today there are thousands. I owe nobody anything. You cannot think that the shortcut is stealing,” he said.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who chaired the session, welcomed the President and described the retreat as a critical moment for leaders.
“Your Excellency, I thank you and welcome you to NALI to preside over the opening ceremony of this leaders’ retreat,” she said.
She added, “Colleagues, the moment we have been waiting for is here to listen to the address of our chairman.”
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong also praised the President’s leadership. “We warmly welcome you, Your Excellency, to this retreat and thank you for making it possible for our new members to gather here,” Todwong said.
The retreat is expected to run for a week, bringing together MPs, Central Executive Committee members, and senior party officials to align on priorities for the new parliamentary term.