President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni convened a meeting this evening at State House Entebbe with National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairpersons representing districts, cities, municipalities, and divisions.
The gathering celebrated the party’s sweeping success in the recently concluded elections, with the President commending leaders for their dedication and victory.
During the meeting, President Museveni highlighted what he described as a renewed sense of national cohesion, comparing the recent electoral unity to the strong public support NRM enjoyed in 1996.
He attributed this cohesion to effective leadership that responds to the people’s needs, pointing to early government achievements such as stabilizing essential commodities and restoring national security through a disciplined army.
Reflecting on the evolution of governance, the President observed that post-1996, new challenges emerged, particularly widespread household poverty. This led to the introduction of revolving funds at sub-county levels in 1997, designed to promote wealth creation. Programs such as NAADS followed, distributing agricultural inputs to boost productivity, although a significant portion of the population remained outside the formal economy.
To address these gaps, Museveni stressed the Parish Development Model (PDM), which channels funds directly to beneficiaries while empowering parish committees to oversee allocation transparently. He noted that while some districts have seen promising results, increased funding and close monitoring by party leaders are essential to maximize the model’s impact.
Education and corruption were also central concerns in his address. While free education expanded access, the President lamented what he described as sabotage by some educators and inadequate oversight. He also criticized corrupt practices, including the sale of government jobs, land grabbing, and theft of medicines, urging party leaders to enforce accountability and strengthen supervision.President Museveni further addressed infrastructure challenges, pointing to poor road maintenance and substandard works, partly resulting from weak budget prioritization and the rapid creation of new districts and municipalities.
He reiterated that these administrative expansions should not come at the expense of services that directly benefit citizens.On economic transformation, the President emphasized agriculture as the backbone of employment, while manufacturing and services generate higher-value jobs. He promised to produce more policy literature aimed at addressing citizen needs, supporting private sector growth, and enhancing financing options through institutions like the Uganda Development Bank, ensuring enterprises can expand and access wider markets.
The meeting concluded with party leaders, including NRM Deputy Secretary General Hon. Rose Namayanja and district chairpersons, expressing gratitude for Museveni’s guidance and support. Proposals were made for greater inclusion of municipal and city chairpersons in party executive committees, aimed at enhancing oversight, decision-making, and the effective implementation of government programs across the country.
