President Yoweri Museveni met with National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Greater Masaka at State Lodge, Masaka, on Wednesday, urging them to prioritize addressing the needs of citizens, combatting corruption at the local level, and promoting government wealth creation programs.
The meeting, organized by Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament-elect Justine Nameere, served as a platform for the President to emphasize the importance of practical governance over political debate. “It is unfortunate how some leaders waste time in Parliament talking instead of looking at the real issues and reaching the ordinary people. Leaders must expose wrongdoing and demand solutions to the problems affecting the wananchi,” Museveni stated, according to a statement released by the President’s office.
Museveni issued a stern warning against complacency in the face of corruption, asserting that silence from leaders at district and parliamentary levels would contribute to a systemic breakdown. “Keeping quiet about thieves and corruption in your areas is unacceptable. If leaders at the district level are corrupt and Members of Parliament fear to expose them, then the whole system rots,” he said.
The President also challenged NRM leaders to actively promote the achievements of his administration, rather than shying away from public scrutiny. He stressed the demand to confidently articulate the benefits of government programs to the population.
Addressing the issue of national unity, Museveni cautioned against sectarianism, characterizing it as a divisive force that undermines community cohesion. He emphasized the importance of collaboration across tribal and religious lines, recounting his own educational journey as an example. “I went to school in the 1950s and 1960s because my father was able to pay the school fees by selling cattle in the monthly auction markets of Ntungamo. The buyers were businessmen from different backgrounds,” he explained, highlighting the diverse support network that enabled his education.
Museveni specifically commended Nameere for her determination in securing a legitimate vote recount following allegations of attempted rigging during the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament race. According to a report by Habari Daily, the President stated, “When she contested for the Masaka City Woman MP seat, there were attempts to rig the votes but she insisted on a recount, and when the votes were counted again, she won. That shows courage.” Justine Nameere won the seat representing Masaka City in the 12th parliament, after a recount ordered by Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe.
The President further urged leaders to mobilize citizens to participate in government wealth creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). He explained that the PDM was designed to deliver support directly to households at the parish level, bypassing bureaucratic obstacles at higher administrative tiers.
Justine Nameere expressed gratitude to President Museveni for convening the meeting and providing guidance to leaders in Masaka. “I want to thank the President for sparing time to meet us and for the wise counsel he has given to us as leaders. His guidance will support us refocus on serving our people and promoting the government programmes meant to improve the livelihoods of the wananchi,” she said, according to a statement released following the meeting.
Nameere pledged to continue mobilizing leaders and communities in Masaka to support government initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and development.
