They met for 10 days and resolved to do 24 things

NGOMA, 4th June 2023 –After 10 days of speeches and 30 lecture sessions, the over 400 attending members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus and allied friendly Independents in the 11th Parliament of Uganda at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, rallied behind 24 resolutions to reaffirm their commitment to increase household incomes and wealth creation.

The retreat convened at the invitation of the leader of NRM, President Yoweri K. Museveni, discussed the role of national and other leaders in increasing household incomes and wealth creation.

The retreat began with a keynote address by President Museveni, who emphasized the importance of clarity regarding ideology, strategy, policy implementation, and cohesion. He also delivered an educative presentation on the role of leaders in increasing household incomes and wealth creation.

During the retreat, the facilitators of the sessions were acknowledged and thanked for their contributions. Senior Movement and state leaders, including First Lady Mama Janet Museveni, the Vice President, the Rt. Honorable Prime Minister, and the Secretary-General, were also recognized for their presence and support throughout the retreat.

Unity within the Movement was emphasized, with a commitment to consolidating the unity of all members around the guiding principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, democracy, and the leadership of President Museveni.

The role of political leaders, including Members of Parliament, in increasing household incomes and wealth creation was recognized as a critical responsibility. It was acknowledged that this is part of the historical process of transforming Uganda from a traditional society to modernity. Education for all was identified as another key aspect of socio-economic transformation.

The retreat also focused on establishing a strategic modus operandi between the executive and the caucus. It was decided that the caucus would support value addition in the production and processing of commodities, such as coffee and sugar. Emergency meetings would be convened to address issues lacking clarity, and the caucus would be involved in considering and building internal consensus on national budgetary priorities.

Discipline and unity within the NRM Parliamentary Caucus were emphasized, with members urged to conduct sufficient research to support government work and render support to the executive. The caucus recommended the election of parliamentary commissioners on the NRM ticket, with effect from December 2023.

The retreat provided an opportunity to review the performance of the NRM government in the first and second sessions of the 11th Parliament. Detailed reports from all sectors, as well as a mid-term review of the NRM manifesto implementation, were eagerly awaited.

Several presentations were made on various topics, including the Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation (Emyooga), the Parish Development Model, personal finance management, the Uganda Revenue Authority, the fight against corruption, leadership and critical thinking, patriotism building, the changing role of the media and the legislator, mobilization, party discipline and cohesion, and the NRM as a liberation movement.

The retreat concluded with the announcement of President Museveni’s directive to expedite the funding process for NUSAF 4 by the World Bank. The program aims to improve the livelihoods of 39% of poor households in Uganda.

The resolutions of the retreat highlight the commitment of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus to fulfilling the Movement’s historical mission of transforming Uganda. By focusing on increasing household incomes and wealth creation, education, unity, and strategic cooperation with the executive, the caucus aims to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

As the members return to their constituencies, they carry with them the responsibility to implement these resolutions and work towards the development and progress of Uganda.

Key highlights.

1. Commitment to Unity: Members of the caucus pledged to consolidate the unity of all Movement members around guiding ideological principles, including patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, democracy, and the leadership of President Museveni.
2. Leaders’ Role in Socio-Economic Transformation: The caucus acknowledged that political leaders, including Members of Parliament, bear the responsibility for increasing household incomes and wealth creation. They emphasized the importance of education for all as a key pillar of socio-economic transformation.
3. Strategic Collaboration with the Executive: The caucus resolved to focus on supporting value addition in the production and processing of commodities such as coffee and sugar. They also agreed to convene emergency meetings for clarifications, consider and build consensus on national budgetary priorities, and work through the caucus in bringing private member bills to Parliament.
4. Election of Commissioners of Parliament: The caucus recommended that the NRM Central Executive Committee approve amendments to allow for the election of parliamentary commissioners on the NRM ticket by the caucus.
5. Review of Government Performance and Manifesto Implementation: Members eagerly awaited detailed reports from all sectors, including the government’s performance in the first and second sessions of the 11th Parliament and the implementation of the NRM manifesto.
6. Emphasis on Programs: The caucus welcomed presentations on various initiatives, including the Emyooga Program for wealth and job creation, the Parish Development Model, personal finance management, revenue collection challenges, the fight against corruption, leadership and critical thinking, patriotism building, the changing role of the media and legislators, mobilization, party discipline, and cohesion, and the NRM as a liberation movement.
7. NUSAF 4 Funding: The caucus commended President Museveni’s directive to expedite funding for the National Social Assistance Fund (NUSAF) 4, aimed at improving the livelihoods of the 39% poorest households, through support from the World Bank.

What was missed?

The retreat was quite silent on corruption, which is making national headlines every day. The highlight of the last two months was the diversion of thousands of iron sheets meant for Karamoja, the most impoverished northeastern region of Uganda. The iron sheets were instead shared among the well to do including ministers and other politicians.

The soaring wave of insecurity perpetrated by gun-totting men has caused widespread public alarm, but this wasn’t a priority for the caucus retreat.