Kyankwanzi resolutions should be tagged to more dev't, less politics

trueBy Patrick Nakabale

The NRM Members of Parliament unanimously moved a resolution during the recent Kyankwanzi retreat arguing the President to offer himself up for another term on account of his outstanding leadership performance and the strategic direction he has driven this country to peace, stability and development in the past 30 years.

President Museveni has been sacrificing for this country for the last 50 years; 20 years fighting for freedom and democracy in the trenches, and the 30 years putting the country on the right development trajectory.

For the above reason, the NRM Members of Parliament are traversing their constituencies engaging the wananchi on the deliberations that took place at Kyankwanzi retreat.

The media has been awash with suggestions that we are “selling President Museveni’s sole candidature” in the coming elections of the NRM Delegates Conference due next year, ostensibly to weed out any internal competition against the NRM Chairman at the delegates conference.

This is not true.

The Kyankwazi resolution contains the commitments of the NRM government in delivering effective services to the people, and as such the people, to whom the NRM government is accountable, must be informed on the work done in the last three years since the NRM overwhelmingly won the previous elections, and what remains to be done.

We are simply engaging the people in the collective development process as NRM party, and also arguing them to return President Museveni in 2016 to continue with the development agenda. 

This brings us to the crucial point of what and how we are supposed to engage the wananchi. Like earlier observed, there are people dispensing a lot of politicking to the people and in my humble opinion, they are not doing enough justice to the people we serve. I am not saying we shouldn’t talk politics with the people, provided the political talk is geared towards development, social and economic welfare of the citizens, etc.

The ongoing political engagement must reflect the true desires and aspirations of the people in line with the blue print of the NRM Manifesto, National Development Plan and Vision 2040.

Our people would want to hear more from us about the Government’s plans, policies and programmes in key sectors like roads, railway networks, energy, markets for their commodities, access to quality health, education; how we are planning to revamp agriculture with value addition and cheap agricultural financing, among others.

A farmer in the remote village of Masulita in Wakiso district needs to hear about planting materials or improved seed varieties that the Government is distributing. A dairy farmer in Namayumba needs to be assured of constant electricity supply for his milk cooling systems.

And similarly, a youth in a remote village of Kyanamuka in Masaka needs to hear of the opportunities that will open new markets for his honey beyond the small market of Masaka, as well as how to benefit from new opportunities by the Government such as the sh265b Youth Livelihood programme.

The role of leaders shouldn’t only end at talking and playing politics with the people, but mobilising and guiding the people to take advantage of the Government programmes that are designed to emancipate them from poverty and unemployment.

As we reach out to the masses with the kyankwanzi resolutions, we are addressing the most critical needs and aspirations of the people in line with the development trajectory underpinned by the NRM government.

In this regard, therefore, the wananchi should welcome the consultative process and take the opportunity to meaningfully engage or participate in the development process in appreciation of the milestones the NRM government has registered in last 30 years and how to collectively consolidate the gains.

The writer is Youth MP-Central region and General Secreray NRM Parliamentary Caucus