The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has commenced a week-long induction retreat for newly elected Members of Parliament at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi. The program, which began on April 7 and is scheduled to run through April 15, aims to align legislators with the party’s ideological framework and national development goals.
During the opening proceedings, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong instructed the legislators to maintain discipline and unity, emphasizing the need for the 12th Parliament to engage in thoughtful deliberation on issues affecting the country. Todwong described the induction as a standard party tradition designed to orient new MPs on their specific parliamentary and national responsibilities.
The Secretary General also addressed the legal challenges facing some members, assuring those with pending election petitions that the party would provide continued support. In a move to broaden the party’s legislative influence, Todwong extended an invitation to Independent MPs to collaborate with the NRM, stating that a memorandum of cooperation has been established to integrate willing legislators into party activities.
Strategic Objectives and Ideological Alignment
Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja-Nsereko detailed the retreat’s primary objective: aligning party leaders to safeguard national gains and accelerate Uganda’s transition toward higher middle-income status. The induction is designed to build consensus on priority actions for the current term and strengthen the cohesion of the NRM parliamentary caucus.
The curriculum for the retreat includes presentations from a diverse group of contributors, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who serves as the Party National Chairman, as well as cabinet ministers, senior party officials, technocrats, and representatives from academia and the private sector.
According to Namayanja-Nsereko, the discussions will focus on several core thematic areas:
- Ideological orientation and clarity
- Parliamentary effectiveness and legislative performance
- Political economy and national security
- Human capital development, wealth creation, and job generation
The retreat brings together newly elected MPs, members of the Central Executive Committee, and senior party officials. The session is scheduled to be officially opened tomorrow by President Museveni.
