President Museveni has led Members of Parliament in a shooting practice session at the National Leadership Institute, using the exercise to underscore the importance of national defence, discipline, and the fight against corruption.
The drill marked the final activity of a week-long retreat for legislators aligned to the National Resistance Movement, held from April 7 to 14, 2026. The retreat focused on strengthening leadership and aligning priorities towards advancing Uganda’s transition to a higher middle-income economy.
During the session, Museveni personally guided legislators on basic firearms handling and assessed their participation, noting that some had prior military experience.
“I congratulate the participants. I can see some of them are veterans,” he said.
The President reiterated that Uganda’s security framework is built on the concept of a “people’s army,” where citizens are equipped with basic military skills and can be mobilised when needed.
“We encourage citizens to learn the science of arms so that in case of any threat, we can mobilise for national defence,” he said.
He noted that such systems enable countries to maximise defence capacity through continuous training and the use of reservists, citing international examples where civilians undergo periodic refresher training.
Museveni also referenced Uganda’s past security experiences, where trained local defence units were mobilised to respond to threats, highlighting the value of preparedness.
On governance, the President warned that corruption remains a major obstacle to national development and urged legislators to take a firm stance against it.
“The first thing you must do is to fight corruption. If you don’t, all these efforts will be for nothing,” he said.
He cautioned against bribery and vote-buying, describing the practice as harmful to democratic processes and long-term development.
“You cannot give someone money to decide leadership for five years. That is wrong,” he emphasised.
Museveni further called for financial discipline among leaders, encouraging them to utilise structured support systems such as savings and credit cooperatives instead of relying on unsustainable borrowing.
“A bankrupt leader should not be a leader. Work within the systems we have put in place,” he said.
The President highlighted government efforts to improve welfare within the military through collective support programmes, including education, housing, healthcare, and SACCO initiatives such as Wazalendo.
He added that families of security personnel have been encouraged to engage in productive economic activities to improve household incomes without resorting to corrupt practices.
As the retreat concluded, Museveni urged legislators to return to their constituencies with renewed commitment to service, integrity, and wealth creation.
He noted that Uganda’s transformation depends on disciplined leadership, elimination of corruption, and empowering citizens to actively participate in the economy.
“I wish you good luck as you go back to serve your constituencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Okei Rukogota, Director of the institute, commended the President for inaugurating the shooting range, saying it will enhance civilian training in basic defence skills.
He said the initiative aligns with efforts to equip citizens with practical skills to strengthen security and reduce violence, while also supporting democratic and national development processes.
