National Resistance Movement National Treasurer Barbara Nekesa has said the party’s ongoing leaders’ retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi has successfully achieved its core objectives, citing strong participation and alignment among Members of Parliament.
Speaking on Sunday, Nekesa noted that the engagement, which has so far run for six days, has registered “tremendous success,” particularly in orienting legislators and harmonizing their priorities with the NRM Manifesto for 2026–2031.
“We have had various submissions from ministries, departments and agencies, and these have been well received by Members of Parliament,” she said, adding that the retreat was designed not only to orient leaders but also to align their thinking and planning with the party’s long-term agenda.
Nekesa revealed that legislators had strongly endorsed the initiative and proposed that such retreats be institutionalized on an annual basis.
“Regular engagements would help deepen understanding of party policies, assess government performance, and strengthen service delivery to Ugandans,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of internal reflection within the party as it marks four decades of leadership.
“The NRM must continue embracing self-assessment to sustain its vision of steering Uganda toward long-term prosperity,” she noted.
Referencing a message from Yoweri Museveni, Nekesa said the central focus of the retreat was on transforming household incomes as the foundation for Uganda’s long-term socio-economic progress.
“The central focus of the retreat was on transforming household incomes as the foundation for Uganda’s long-term socio-economic progress,” she said.
She noted that the President emphasized the need for leaders to deliberately plan and implement interventions that directly raise the earnings of ordinary citizens.
“Leaders must deliberately plan and implement interventions that directly raise the earnings of ordinary citizens,” she said.
According to Nekesa, the President also underscored the importance of boosting productivity in key sectors such as agriculture, industry and services.
“There is need to boost productivity in key sectors such as agriculture, industry and services, with emphasis on value addition, improved production methods and efficient resource utilization,” she said.
She added that Members of Parliament were urged to align all government programmes and policies toward expanding incomes at the household level.
“All government programmes and policies must be aligned toward expanding incomes at the household level, as this will ultimately translate into improved livelihoods and reduced poverty among Ugandans,” she added.
Nekesa further said the President challenged leaders to remain focused and disciplined in execution.
“Leaders must remain focused and disciplined in execution, with emphasis on consistency and close monitoring of results,” she said.
She described the President’s message as a guiding framework for both the party’s manifesto and the government agenda.
“Every intervention must contribute to tangible improvements in the welfare of wananchi,” she noted.
The National Treasurer also commended MPs for maintaining discipline and unity throughout the sessions.
“The atmosphere has been cordial and family-like,” she said, praising facilitators for delivering insightful presentations that enriched discussions.
Looking ahead, Nekesa said participants will visit the President’s farm in Ngoma on Tuesday, where resolutions from the retreat will be presented and adopted.
“Resolutions from the retreat will be presented and adopted, marking the climax of the deliberations,” she said.
The retreat will conclude on Wednesday.
