Kyankwanzi– The Newly elected Members of Parliament under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are now well grounded in the party’s ideology and governance priorities following a week-long retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, Director of Information and Publicity Emmanuel Dombo has said.
Speaking on Sunday, Dombo said the retreat was convened to realign both NRM MPs and independent legislators who lean towards the party with the NRM manifesto and national development agenda.
He explained that the orientation was necessary to ensure that leaders clearly understand their role in delivering on the party’s pledges to Ugandans.
“When members were elected, including those who are independent but NRM-leaning, we brought them here to align their thinking with the manifesto so that as leaders, they contribute effectively to delivering on the commitments of the party,” Dombo said.
He noted that the retreat has covered key areas, beginning with the ideological foundation of the NRM, including its historical background and how it has sustained leadership for nearly four decades.
Participants were also taken through the procedures and workings of Parliament by its leadership, including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Clerk, to better prepare them for legislative responsibilities.
Dombo added that legislators were introduced to critical government frameworks such as the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which aims to grow Uganda’s economy from about 68 billion U.S. dollars to 500 billion dollars in the coming years.
“The members needed to understand what government plans to do and what role they must play to support that transformation,” he said.
He said the retreat featured presentations from key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the National Planning Authority, and the Office of the Prime Minister, all aimed at equipping MPs with knowledge on policy implementation and service delivery.
According to Dombo, the retreat will conclude on Tuesday esday with a visit to Ngoma farm, where resolutions from the sessions will be read and adopted.
Beyond formal sessions, he highlighted other activities such as ecumenical prayers, where leaders from different faiths joined in worship, and a contribution of about 3.2 million shillings raised by members to support a community school at the institute.
Participants have also been engaged in daily physical exercises, which Dombo said are intended to promote health and reduce long-term medical costs, in line with broader national development goals.
He emphasized that the retreat has strengthened cohesion among legislators, many of whom had not previously interacted despite coming from different parts of the country.
“Over the days we have been here, members now know each other, have debated together, and gained a clear understanding of how government works,” he said.
Dombo expressed confidence that the shared orientation will improve coordination and efficiency in Parliament, making it easier for both the party and government to implement programs.
“With this common understanding, work will be easier for the presiding officers, smoother for the party, and faster for government,” he said.
He added that the ultimate goal is to ensure better delivery of services to Ugandans and to strengthen the party’s performance in future elections.
