President Yoweri Museveni has warned members of parliament against engaging in corruption, describing the vice as a serious threat to national development.
Speaking while closing the 2026 National Resistance Movement (NRM) retreat for Members of Parliament-elect at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi,
Museveni urged leaders to reject corruption and focus on wealth creation initiatives.
“I do not want to hear of corruption in parliament,” he said. “If there is corruption in Parliament, how will you control others? You are the oversight body.” He warned that corruption could undermine the country’s progress.
“It will kill Uganda; it is suicide and must not be tolerated,” he stressed. The President also condemned reports of MPs soliciting bribes to approve budgets.
“I have heard that some people demand money before passing budgets. One official refused and reported the matter. This must stop,” he said.
Museveni cautioned that anyone found engaging in bribery to secure 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), Museveni emphasised the need for proper utilisation of funds, noting that the programme has the potential to transform livelihoods.
“This money we are sending to the people can change their lives if used properly,” he said, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary borrowing.
“Do not rush to money lenders or banks because of pressure. Use the resources you have wisely.”
The week-long retreat, which began on April 7, was 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.”
Ahead of the closing session, Museveni hosted MPs at Ngoma State Lodge and Farm, where he led them on a tour of the area, including the confluence of River Mayanja and River Kafu—locations he described as historically significant in Uganda’s liberation struggle.
Reflecting on this history, Museveni recalled how, on February 20, 1984, a National Resistance Army mobile brigade led by Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Salim Saleh, attacked and overran Masindi Barracks after trekking for days.
“They had walked for many miles and attacked Masindi Barracks. We were monitoring by radio, and I intercepted communications from Obote’s forces saying they had been attacked and overrun,” he said.
He added that he later set off on foot to link up with the fighters in Kyankwanzi, an area he said he subsequently secured for national purposes.
“After the war, I decided to 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.
Museveni noted that the area’s geography, surrounded by rivers such as Mayanja and Kafu, makes it ideal for reflection and ideological orientation. He also urged Ugandans to move away from subsistence living.
Highlighting progress in the cattle corridor—stretching from Isingiro through Kazo, Kiruhura, Sembabule, Gomba, Kyankwanzi, Nakasongola, and Masindi—Museveni attributed improvements to a shift in mindset and adoption of income-generating activities such as dairy farming.
“The cattle corridor has transformed because people changed their mindset and followed the message,” he said. He encouraged farmers to adopt improved pasture management to boost productivity.
“If you plant improved pasture on one square mile, you can keep up to 300 cows,” he advised.
The President also pledged continued infrastructure development to improve connectivity in the region. Vice President Jessica Alupo commended MPs-elect for completing the retreat, describing it as a key platform for strengthening ideological grounding and leadership discipline.
“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 legislators to translate the knowledge gained into improved service delivery and accountability. Meanwhile, NRM secretary general Richard Todwong presented the resolutions of the retreat, saying it provided an opportunity for reflection on the role of legislators in safeguarding the gains of the revolution and advancing Uganda towards middle-income status.
