PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CLOSES NRM MPs’ RETREAT IN KYANKWANZI, URGES LEADERS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially closed the 2026 NRM
Members of Parliament retreat held at the National Leadership Institute
(NALI) in Kyankwanzi, calling on leaders to reject corruption and actively
participate in wealth creation initiatives.

The week-long retreat, which started on April 7, ended today,14th April
2026, under the theme: “Aligning the NRM leadership towards protecting
the gains and making a bold, qualitative leap towards a higher middle-
income status society.”

Before the close of the retreat, President Museveni hosted the MPs at
Ngoma State Lodge and Farm, where he led them on a tour of the farm.
The group walked through the cattle fields and proceeded to the bridge
between River Mayanja and River Kafu, an area the President described
as historically significant in Uganda’s liberation struggle.

Speaking during the final session, the President emphasized the
historical and strategic importance of Kyankwanzi.
“This place is very important for two reasons,” he said.

He recalled that on February 20, 1984, the National Resistance Army
(NRA) mobile brigade, led by Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh),
attacked and overran Masindi Barracks after trekking for days from
Kanyara.

“They had walked for many miles and attacked Masindi Barracks. We
were monitoring through the radio, and I intercepted communications
from Obote’s forces saying they had been attacked and overrun,” he
said.

President Museveni added that he immediately set off on foot to link up
with the fighters.
“I left at about 10:00am and walked. We slept near a place nearby and
later crossed into Kyankwanzi, where we linked up with Saleh’s force,”
he noted.

He revealed that after the war, he decided to secure the land for national
purposes.
“After the war, I said I will buy this land for the movement because it was
a good area. Eventually, the government acquired it, and that is why we
are here today,” he said.
The President noted that the area’s geography, surrounded by rivers
such as Mayanja and Kafu, makes it ideal for reflection and ideological
orientation.
“That is why I always bring you here,” he added.

Shift to the money economy:

President Museveni reiterated his long-standing message of
transitioning Ugandans from subsistence living to the money economy.
“By the time of independence, only about 9% of homesteads were in the
money economy. The rest were producing just for the stomach,” he
explained.

Drawing from his upbringing in Ntungamo, the President said most
families, including his own, were not engaged in commercial activity.
“We had cows and bananas, but they were only for consumption. There
was no selling,” he said.

He emphasized that since the 1960s, there has been a consistent push
to transform livelihoods.

“Our message has always been that our people must enter the money
economy,” he added.

The President highlighted progress in the cattle corridor, which stretches
from Isingiro through Kazo, Kiruhura, Sembabule, Gomba, Kyankwanzi,
Nakasongola, and Masindi.

“When we came into government in 1986, we intensified this message.
We encouraged smallholder farmers to adopt dairy farming and other
income-generating activities,” he said.

He noted that the strategy has yielded visible results.
“The cattle corridor has transformed because people changed their
mindset and followed the message,” President Museveni said.
He cited farmer John Matongo as one of the beneficiaries.

“He was outside the money economy, but now he has transformed and
became a wealthy man,” he noted.
However, he urged farmers to embrace pasture improvement for
increased productivity.

“If you plant improved pasture on one square mile, you can keep up to
300 cows,” he advised.

President Museveni also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve
infrastructure in the area.

“We shall continue working on the roads connecting Luwero, Ngoma,
and Kyankwanzi to improve accessibility,” he said.

Strong warning against corruption:

The President issued a stern warning against corruption, particularly
within Parliament.

“I do not want to hear of corruption in Parliament. If there is corruption in
Parliament, how will you control others? You are the oversight body,” he
said.
He warned that corruption poses a serious threat to national
development.
“It will kill Uganda. It is suicide and must not be tolerated,” he stressed.
President Museveni further revealed reports of bribery linked to budget
approvals.

“I have heard that some people demand money before passing budgets.
One official refused and reported the matter. This must stop,” he said.
He cautioned that anyone found engaging in bribery for positions would
be disqualified.

“If we hear that you are giving bribes to get office, you will be
disqualified,” he warned.

On the Parish Development Model (PDM), the President urged proper
utilization of funds.

“This money we are sending to the people can change their lives if used
properly,” he said.

He also advised citizens to avoid unnecessary borrowing.
“Do not rush to money lenders or banks because of pressure. Use the
resources you have wisely,” he cautioned.

On her part, the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo commended the
Members of Parliament-elect for completing the retreat, describing it as
a key platform for strengthening ideological grounding and leadership
discipline.

She said the Kyankwanzi training was essential in aligning leaders with
the Movement’s long-term vision of socio-economic transformation.
“We appreciate the commitment shown by the MPs throughout this
retreat. It is important that leaders remain grounded in the ideology of
the Movement as they serve the people,” she said.

She urged the legislators to translate the knowledge gained into practical
service delivery and improved accountability at all levels.

The Secretary General of the NRM, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong,
presented the official resolutions of the retreat on behalf of the NRM
Members of Parliament and party-leaning Independents.

“We gathered here as NRM Members of Parliament-elect and NRM-
leaning Independents to reflect on our role in protecting the gains of the

revolution and advancing Uganda towards a higher middle-income
status,” he said.
He noted that the retreat followed the NRM’s electoral victory in the 2026
general elections.

“We acknowledge the resounding victory of the NRM Party and its
Presidential candidate, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and appreciate
the role played by the party structures under the stewardship of the
Secretary General and the entire leadership,” he added.

Todwong said the MPs benefited from ideological guidance by President
Museveni, who delivered a keynote address on understanding the NRM
Revolution and party ideology, as well as a series of leadership materials
authored by the President.

“We were guided by the wisdom and leadership of the National
Chairperson and inspired to recommit ourselves to the mission of the
Movement,” he said.

Presenting the resolutions, Todwong said MPs had resolved to uphold
discipline, accountability, and ethical leadership.

“We commit to institutionalizing a culture of discipline, accountability, and
results-oriented leadership aligned to the NRM manifesto,” he said.
He emphasized that leaders would prioritize national interest over
personal gain and reject mediocrity.

“We also resolved to support firm and decisive measures in the fight
against corruption at all levels of government,” he added.

The MPs further committed to strengthening anti-corruption institutions
and enforcing strict accountability mechanisms.
“We reaffirm a zero-tolerance on corruption, inefficiency, and abuse of
office,” Todwong said.

On the economy, Todwong said MPs pledged to support policies aimed
at accelerating socio-economic transformation.
“We have committed to aligning all our decisions with the National
Development Plan IV and supporting policies that expand access to
affordable credit, markets, and infrastructure,” he noted.

He added that MPs would support the government tenfold growth
strategy and efforts to double the economy every five years.
“We shall promote value addition, export orientation, and import
substitution as key drivers of Uganda’s transition to a higher middle-
income economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Nakaseke North, Prof. Wilber
Manyisa Ahebwa, commended President Museveni for his leadership
and contribution to national development.
“I thank you, Your Excellency, for the sacrifices you have made for this
country,” he said.

He noted that Nakaseke strongly supported the President in the recent
elections.
“This constituency gave you overwhelming support, and we remain
committed to the Movement,” he added.

Prof. Manyisa highlighted key economic activities in the area, including
cattle keeping and tea growing, and pledged to continue mobilising
communities for government programmes.