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Museveni tasks NRM MPs to embrace grassroots leadership, Balaam’s anti-corruption approach
“Some people miscalculated, but slowly we have taken the role in fighting corruption in the Army, and now we are beginning to wake up. Hon. Balaam is implementing what I have been talking about all the time,” President Museveni said.
In his address, President Museveni also cautioned lawmakers against corruption and urged them to embrace the grassroots approach to fighting the vice, championed by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara.
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has challenged National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament to return to grassroots leadership, urging them to regularly engage citizens, monitor government programmes, and directly address challenges affecting communities.
President Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairperson, made the remarks on Friday, October 2, 2026, while addressing the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
The meeting was the fourth of the first session of the 12th Parliament.
In his address, President Museveni also cautioned lawmakers against corruption and urged them to embrace the grassroots approach to fighting the vice, championed by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara.
A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that the President said that Balaam's approach was practical and not expensive, citing it as one of the earlier methods that helped the NRM build its support among citizens.
“Some people miscalculated, but slowly we have taken the role in fighting corruption in the Army, and now we are beginning to wake up. Hon. Balaam is implementing what I have been talking about all the time,” President Museveni said.
The President said the NRM gained people's confidence because its leaders were directly involved in addressing problems at community level.
President Museveni added that he would engage the police leadership to address gaps in policing and security.
“What Balaam and Nameere are doing is one way of fighting corrupt people. That is why I put them into the local government. We fought corruption in the army, and now the vice has been in the villages,” he said.
Museveni urged MPs to organise barazas and other grassroots engagements in their constituencies instead of relying on highly organised events.
“I appeal to you to interact with the people directly. The approach will easily solve people's problems. Go back to the work methods of the NRM,” he said.
The President recalled the 1996 elections, saying he almost missed the nomination deadline after being delayed in Nakasero and eventually had to use a boda boda with his wife to beat the 5pm deadline.
MPs tasked to monitor PDM
On wealth creation, President Museveni tasked MPs with close monitoring of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program in their constituencies. The legislators, he said, must ensure that intended beneficiaries receive the funds meant to help them enter the money economy.
“Find out how many families got the PDM money and those that haven't gotten it so that we cover the 33% of the people that are not yet in the money economy,” he said.
He also asked MPs to ensure that the Shs1 million PDM revolving fund reaches the intended beneficiaries and to spend more time in their constituencies monitoring its impact.
“Ensure that the PDM cash reaches the people. That is your work as MPs. Spend more time in your constituency checking how your constituents are getting out of poverty,” he added.
Security
The President also directed the Ministry of Internal Affairs and security agencies to investigate and address reported cases of killings and theft in the Greater Ankole region and neighbouring areas.
He cited reports of more than 15 people being killed in Ibanda, cattle theft in Kyankwanzi and theft in Kagadi as matters of concern.
“The police personnel are supposed to be in the sub-county. I will look into the issues of theft and killings in the villages that are being reported. It is a concern. I have been watching crime reports on TV,” he said.
President Museveni added that he would engage the police leadership to address gaps in policing and security.
Agriculture
On agriculture, he said irrigation should no longer be treated as optional, arguing that it is necessary to stabilise production and increase yields.
“Irrigation is now a must. It stabilises agriculture but also increases yield. At the government farm run by Dr. Muranga, we are yielding 53 tonnes per hectare,” Museveni revealed.
He also reiterated his directive that wetlands must be protected and encroachers removed.
“All those people in the wetlands must get out. The ones in Busoga, Bukedi and Kigezi, I have a program to take them back to fish farming. All the others must get out. The wetlands will give us water for irrigation but also give us a source of income unlike rice,” he stressed.
On energy, President Museveni said Uganda has a small electricity surplus but must continue developing new generation capacity, including the Ayago hydropower project.
“We have a little surplus of electricity; that is why we have to move to Ayago. For electricity, we must move,” he said.
He also revealed that the government was considering railway development to Karamoja and the Standard Gauge Railway to northern Uganda to improve transport connectivity and link the country to external markets.
On oil, President Museveni said Uganda would continue pursuing value addition, including the development of a petroleum refinery in Hoima.
“Everything we produce must be processed,” he added.
The President cited the Dangote refinery in Lagos as an example of how petroleum produced in one part of a country can be processed domestically and benefit the wider economy.
Museveni said Uganda's decision to prioritise refinery development before large-scale crude oil production was deliberate.
“The moment we discovered oil, people were saying we should export crude. I told them very clearly, no refinery, no production. It has been there for decades in the ground, let it stay there,” he said.
He said Uganda accepted the crude oil export pipeline through Tanzania while maintaining that the refinery remained central to the country's oil development strategy.
Using the shirt he was wearing as an example, President Museveni explained the importance of vertical integration and domestic value addition.
“The shirt I am putting on is a product of that. It was grown in Uganda, ginned in Uganda, knitted in Uganda. In the past it was being exported at that stage. In the NRM, we said no; we must add other levels,” he said.
He explained that cotton can be processed locally through several stages, including spinning, weaving, printing and tailoring, before becoming a finished garment.
President Museveni said such value addition increases earnings while creating employment opportunities.
“That is what we call vertical integration,” he said.
He also cited the dairy industry as an example of horizontal integration, pointing to the production of yoghurt, butter and other dairy products.
President Museveni said Uganda's economy had continued to move forward despite global conflicts, attributing the progress to the NRM's long-term economic programme.
“The Bible says whatever a man sows, that is what he reaps. The resistance is what has brought us here. Before some of you were born, when we came into government, we put out 10 points. The point that has got us here was point number five, which said we shall build an integrated, independent and self-sustaining economy,” he said.
He identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT as key sectors for creating wealth and employment.
Chief Whip raises election petitions
Earlier, the Government Chief Whip and Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, thanked President Museveni for convening the meeting as MPs returned from their recess.
He also reiterated his directive that wetlands must be protected and encroachers removed.
“All those people in the wetlands must get out. The ones in Busoga, Bukedi and Kigezi, I have a program to take them back to fish farming. All the others must get out. The wetlands will give us water for irrigation but also give us a source of income unlike rice,” he stressed.
On energy, President Museveni said Uganda has a small electricity surplus but must continue developing new generation capacity, including the Ayago hydropower project.
“We have a little surplus of electricity; that is why we have to move to Ayago. For electricity, we must move,” he said.
He also revealed that the government was considering railway development to Karamoja and the Standard Gauge Railway to northern Uganda to improve transport connectivity and link the country to external markets.
On oil, President Museveni said Uganda would continue pursuing value addition, including the development of a petroleum refinery in Hoima.
“Everything we produce must be processed,” he added.
The President cited the Dangote refinery in Lagos as an example of how petroleum produced in one part of a country can be processed domestically and benefit the wider economy.
Museveni said Uganda's decision to prioritise refinery development before large-scale crude oil production was deliberate.
“The moment we discovered oil, people were saying we should export crude. I told them very clearly, no refinery, no production. It has been there for decades in the ground, let it stay there,” he said.
He said Uganda accepted the crude oil export pipeline through Tanzania while maintaining that the refinery remained central to the country's oil development strategy.
Using the shirt he was wearing as an example, President Museveni explained the importance of vertical integration and domestic value addition.
“The shirt I am putting on is a product of that. It was grown in Uganda, ginned in Uganda, knitted in Uganda. In the past it was being exported at that stage. In the NRM, we said no; we must add other levels,” he said.
He explained that cotton can be processed locally through several stages, including spinning, weaving, printing and tailoring, before becoming a finished garment.
President Museveni said such value addition increases earnings while creating employment opportunities.
“That is what we call vertical integration,” he said.
He also cited the dairy industry as an example of horizontal integration, pointing to the production of yoghurt, butter and other dairy products.
President Museveni said Uganda's economy had continued to move forward despite global conflicts, attributing the progress to the NRM's long-term economic programme.
“The Bible says whatever a man sows, that is what he reaps. The resistance is what has brought us here. Before some of you were born, when we came into government, we put out 10 points. The point that has got us here was point number five, which said we shall build an integrated, independent and self-sustaining economy,” he said.
He identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT as key sectors for creating wealth and employment.
Chief Whip raises election petitions
Earlier, the Government Chief Whip and Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, thanked President Museveni for convening the meeting as MPs returned from their recess.
She informed President Museveni that many NRM members were facing election petitions arising from the 2026 general elections.
“A total of 75 petitions involve our NRM MPs and flag bearers. They are all duly represented by counsel. They are requesting support towards their legal facilitation. Kindly look into this request, Your Excellency,” she said.
On legislative business, Dr. Aceng reported progress on several matters, including the Agriculture Regulatory Bill, 2026, and a report by the Committee on Physical Infrastructure concerning the Kampala Expressway and toll collections.
She said the report recommended criminal investigations by the Inspectorate of Government, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Uganda Revenue Authority.
“Your Excellency, on this one we need to kill many birds with one stone,” she said.
Dr. Aceng thanked Parliament's presiding officers for allowing MPs adequate time to debate the extensive ministerial report concluded in June.
She also conveyed condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro and the royal family following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Relatedly, she congratulated King Edward Kijanangoma Nyabongo I upon his enthronement.
“Allow me to convey our deep condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro and the royal family on the passing of King Oyo Rukidi IV. Thank you, Your Excellency, for the solidarity and leadership you portrayed ”Dr. Aceng said.
Constituency concerns
Other MPs used the meeting to raise challenges affecting their constituencies.
Laura Kanushu, MP representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), raised concern over the cited cases of alleged diversion of PDM funds intended for PWDs to non-PWD beneficiaries.
In response, President Museveni warned against misuse of funds earmarked for PWDs, saying the money should benefit the intended beneficiaries.
The President also said the government would continue supporting tea production and value addition, describing tea as a large-scale project contained in the NRM manifesto.
On garbage management, President Museveni said the government would develop a proposal to improve waste collection and management, noting that garbage can be turned into wealth.
NRM caucus adopts nine resolutions
The caucus subsequently adopted nine resolutions focusing on: corruption, government programmes, security, wealth creation, water, energy, infrastructure and regional integration.
The resolutions, read by Dr. Aceng, committed the NRM MPs to continued implementation of government business in Parliament in close coordination with the caucus.
The lawmakers said they had received a report from the Government Chief Whip and strategic guidance from President Museveni and remained committed to what they described as the NRM's historical mission of continued national development despite global challenges.
On corruption, the caucus resolved to intensify the fight against the vice by returning to the original work methods of the NRM, including engaging citizens on the ground and strengthening supervision of government programmes at local government level, as well as in the health and education sectors.
The MPs also resolved to increase vigilance in monitoring crime, particularly livestock and coffee theft and murders, and to report such cases to relevant authorities.
On economic empowerment, the caucus resolved to intensify monitoring of government development programmes, particularly PDM, to facilitate the inclusion of the 33 percent of Ugandans who remain outside the money economy.
They also resolved to ensure that PDM funds earmarked for persons with disabilities are strictly disbursed to the intended beneficiaries.
Water, energy and infrastructure
The caucus resolved to prioritise the production and availability of water for both domestic consumption and large-scale irrigation to stabilise agricultural production, increase yields and safeguard the environment.
On energy, the MPs resolved to support the development of additional hydropower projects, including Ayago and Kiba, as well as the introduction of solar and nuclear energy to supplement existing power sources.
They also resolved to support the development of strategic sectors, including expansion of the railway network and the oil refinery, as part of efforts to accelerate economic development.
The ninth resolution committed the caucus to supporting the political and economic integration of East Africa and Africa towards a common market.
“A total of 75 petitions involve our NRM MPs and flag bearers. They are all duly represented by counsel. They are requesting support towards their legal facilitation. Kindly look into this request, Your Excellency,” she said.
On legislative business, Dr. Aceng reported progress on several matters, including the Agriculture Regulatory Bill, 2026, and a report by the Committee on Physical Infrastructure concerning the Kampala Expressway and toll collections.
She said the report recommended criminal investigations by the Inspectorate of Government, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Uganda Revenue Authority.
“Your Excellency, on this one we need to kill many birds with one stone,” she said.
Dr. Aceng thanked Parliament's presiding officers for allowing MPs adequate time to debate the extensive ministerial report concluded in June.
She also conveyed condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro and the royal family following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Relatedly, she congratulated King Edward Kijanangoma Nyabongo I upon his enthronement.
“Allow me to convey our deep condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro and the royal family on the passing of King Oyo Rukidi IV. Thank you, Your Excellency, for the solidarity and leadership you portrayed ”Dr. Aceng said.
Constituency concerns
Other MPs used the meeting to raise challenges affecting their constituencies.
Laura Kanushu, MP representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), raised concern over the cited cases of alleged diversion of PDM funds intended for PWDs to non-PWD beneficiaries.
In response, President Museveni warned against misuse of funds earmarked for PWDs, saying the money should benefit the intended beneficiaries.
The President also said the government would continue supporting tea production and value addition, describing tea as a large-scale project contained in the NRM manifesto.
On garbage management, President Museveni said the government would develop a proposal to improve waste collection and management, noting that garbage can be turned into wealth.
NRM caucus adopts nine resolutions
The caucus subsequently adopted nine resolutions focusing on: corruption, government programmes, security, wealth creation, water, energy, infrastructure and regional integration.
The resolutions, read by Dr. Aceng, committed the NRM MPs to continued implementation of government business in Parliament in close coordination with the caucus.
The lawmakers said they had received a report from the Government Chief Whip and strategic guidance from President Museveni and remained committed to what they described as the NRM's historical mission of continued national development despite global challenges.
On corruption, the caucus resolved to intensify the fight against the vice by returning to the original work methods of the NRM, including engaging citizens on the ground and strengthening supervision of government programmes at local government level, as well as in the health and education sectors.
The MPs also resolved to increase vigilance in monitoring crime, particularly livestock and coffee theft and murders, and to report such cases to relevant authorities.
On economic empowerment, the caucus resolved to intensify monitoring of government development programmes, particularly PDM, to facilitate the inclusion of the 33 percent of Ugandans who remain outside the money economy.
They also resolved to ensure that PDM funds earmarked for persons with disabilities are strictly disbursed to the intended beneficiaries.
Water, energy and infrastructure
The caucus resolved to prioritise the production and availability of water for both domestic consumption and large-scale irrigation to stabilise agricultural production, increase yields and safeguard the environment.
On energy, the MPs resolved to support the development of additional hydropower projects, including Ayago and Kiba, as well as the introduction of solar and nuclear energy to supplement existing power sources.
They also resolved to support the development of strategic sectors, including expansion of the railway network and the oil refinery, as part of efforts to accelerate economic development.
The ninth resolution committed the caucus to supporting the political and economic integration of East Africa and Africa towards a common market.