NRM caucus: Keeping the NRA/M Revolution alive

OPINION

By Denis H. Obua

Following a strategic directive from the NRM national chairperson and the President of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, we convened a 10- day National Resistance Movement parliamentary caucus retreat at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi.

In his keynote address, presentations and responses, the party’s national chairman, as the father of the NRA/M revolution, emphatically rationalised the ideological, strategic, policy implementation and administrative cohesion of the caucus and the party premised on the NRA core ideal of transforming Uganda from peasantry to modernity. The President expounded on the deliberate NRM Government flagship programmes of Emyooga and Parish Development Model (PDM) to spur development and equitably put capital into the hands of our people up to parish level to increase household income, wealth creation and socio-economic transformation. Value addition, role of leaders, education for all and many others were among the areas deliberated on to uplift the majority of Ugandans into the desired money economy.

Deeply mindful of our immense responsibilities and duty to the Movement and to the people of Uganda, members of the NRM parliamentary caucus agreed that the unity of all members of the Movement around its guiding ideological principles of Patriotism, Pan Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation, Democracy — and around the leader of our revolution and general of the African Resistance, Yoweri K. Museveni, is key.

Political leaders, including the Members of Parliament, as direct representatives of the people, bear a huge responsibility in advancing the household income generation activities and wealth creation through mobilisation of the masses to embrace socio-economic transformation programmes.

We recognised that human capital development through free education for all and relevant knowledge based skills is imperative for the citizens to realise their full potential and a critical anchor for socio-economic transformation.

The caucus robustly resolved to maintain keen attention on value addition as the driver of export earnings, import substitution, jobs and wealth creation. We shall maximally support manufacturing and agro-processing of commodities like coffee, sugar, tea, etc. ICT and service sectors are also going to receive immense support from the caucus in the quest to facilitate development for all.

First-hand information on the performance of the economy, major projections and National Development Plan III priorities were presented to members by the finance ministry’s permanent secretary/Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi and the deputy executive director of the National Planning Authority, Charles Olweny, respectively.

The significant presentation on the Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation (EMYOOGA) was delivered by the state minister for micro-finance, Haruna Kasolo. And, prominently, members noted and approved the emphasis by the President on the recoveries under the Emyooga programme due in 12 months and payments that shall be effected for up to 24 months. The prize, that is the PDM couldn’t be missed, and indeed, its national co-ordinator, Galabuzi Ssozi gave us a worthy update. Consequently, the President explained and members approved that the recoveries under the PDM shall be due after 24 months and payments shall be effected for up to 36 months.

Revenue collection is pivotal in our mission to fully achieve an independent, integrated and self-sustaining economy, and on that note, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner general, John Rujoki Musinguzi, updated us on the confident state of affairs at URA. And to keep a closer sight on the economy, we have resolved to always convene to consider and build internal consensus on the national budgetary priorities and estimates of revenue and expenditure. Members of the caucus should be fully alive to the entire policy framework of the NRM Government.

To enhance discipline in the parliamentary caucus, we agreed that members of the caucus should not ordinarily bring to Parliament, or support, a private member’s Bill. Whenever it is necessary, it should be done through the caucus. All members agreed to embrace discipline and know when and where to disagree. Importantly, members of the NRM parliamentary caucus resolved to start doing sufficient research to support government work and render support to the Executive.

The caucus recommended to the NRM’s central executive committee to consider approving amendments to the NRM parliamentary caucus rules of procedure and any other regulation(s), to provide for parliamentary commissioners on NRM ticket to be elected by the NRM parliamentary caucus — with effect from December 2023, i.e., the third session of the 11th Parliament. We reviewed the NRM Government’s performance in the first and second sessions of the 11th Parliament in a report delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. Members eagerly await the next retreat to receive detailed reports from all the sectors.

The caucus also received and reviewed the mid-term implementation of the NRM manifesto presented by the Minister of Presidency, Babirye Milly Babalanda. Members received and appreciated the clarifications on the roles of individuals, offices and institutions, the relationship between the caucus, leadership of the Movement and Executive as delivered by Justine Kasule Lumumba and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka. There was an exhaustive clarification on the political and legal framework of the totality of the legislative process.

The NRM secretary general, Richard Todwong, took us through multiparty system discipline and cohesion. We all supported his call to strengthen discipline in all activities of the party and across the structures.

On the anti-corruption front, members committed to relentlessly fight corruption and to maximally support all institutions involved in eradicating the vice. Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke supported by the Internal Security Organisation, delivered presentations on the subject. Further presentations were made on patriotism, the changing role of the media and political mobilisation by Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, Ofwono Opondo and Moses Byaruhanga respectively.

Members of the caucus committed to support the strengthening of ideological and organisational work — at personal, Movement and wider society level in fulfilment of the NRA/M liberation ideal.

Finally, we welcomed the President’s directive to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to expedite the process of funding NUSAF 4 by the World Bank — focused on the improvement of the livelihood of the targeted 39% poor households in the greater north.

The writer is the Government Chief Whip and chairperson of the NRM parliamentary caucus