President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in his capacity as National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has officially closed the party’s National Delegates Conference at Kololo Independence Grounds with a stern warning against corruption, injustice, and internal division.
In his closing address, he reminded members that the credibility of NRM rests on discipline, honesty, and service to the people.
“Reject the corruption that the young people are complaining about. Reject it. That is part of the resistance. This is a very good chance for Uganda, when you have such a powerful political organization, please don’t annoy them with wrong actions. Don’t annoy our members with injustice and corruption. When you do that, you divide us,” said President Museveni, who was freshly endorsed as the NRM flagbearer for the 2026 elections.
He expressed gratitude to delegates for completing what he described as a nationwide democratic process that began on May 6th, 2025 at the branch level.
“I congratulate all of you on the huge exercise we have just gone through. It started with the elections of the branches. I myself went to Rwakitura and was part of our village meeting. In those meetings, we found that we had more than 20 million members of our party, and 18.5 million among them were voters. So, this is a big resource which you should not play around with,” he said.
The President urged leaders to safeguard that vast support base by practicing justice and transparency.
“Those who make mistakes, who do things carelessly, are really interfering with the work. These 20 million members of the NRM want justice, fairness, and the truth. They don’t want lies, they don’t want favoritism, they don’t want corruption,” he emphasized.
On corruption allegations, Museveni urged fairness, assuring that complaints raised would not be ignored.
“Somebody is accused of corruption—you don’t condemn them until the facts come out. But all these cases will be investigated, and action will be taken,” he pledged.
He further warned members never to tarnish the NRM with greed and misconduct.
“Nobody should pollute our NRM with bad behavior. The use of money and corruption must be condemned. In some cases, we may even take legal action,” he cautioned.
Speaking directly to young cadres, the President praised their resistance to wrong practices but urged constructive action.
“By resisting what you think is wrong, you are becoming true members of the National Resistance Movement. But the question is, how would you do it? You must do it in the right way,” he explained.
He recalled how his group, before resorting to armed struggle in the 1980s, warned the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) about its misconduct but was ignored.
“That’s why, when we started the war, nobody could blame us—we had warned them,” he recounted.
Turning to matters of governance, he called on NRM leaders to help monitor crime where the police fall short.
“You, the leaders of the NRM, don’t allow the police to sit on crime. Something bad happens, and they do nothing. The thief is arrested and given police bond—say no, tell them to stop this,” he directed.
He explained that while the army must focus on national defence, crime prevention must remain at police and community level.
“You are the ones nearest to monitor them,” he reminded party leaders.
On development, Museveni distinguished between national infrastructure and household wealth creation.
“You don’t sleep in the hospital or at school; you stay in your home. What is happening in your home? Please understand the importance of wealth. Every home must have some wealth,” he stressed.
He reiterated the central role of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in boosting household incomes.
He noted that each parish receives Shs 100 million annually, totaling Shs 500 million in five years, and with loan repayments, the amount will rise to Shs 800 million.
He assured members that programs like PDM are designed to end household poverty.
On education, Museveni made one of his strongest declarations, promising to abolish school fees in government schools.
“I want to totally abolish school fees in government schools. We must provide free education at the same time; we empower homesteads with PDM. After 10 years, if families can pay for private schools, the government can withdraw slowly. But now, this is crucial to stop children from dropping out,” he said.
He underscored that hospitals must have reliable drugs, villages must have safe water, and feeder roads must be improved.
“Where this is done, you find little opposition. If you advocate for this, there will be no opposition—people will be happy with you,” he advised.
During the same conference, the NRM confirmed new members of its Central Executive Committee (CEC) and leadership of special leagues.
For the position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Rt Hon Anita Among won overwhelmingly with 11,680 votes (92%) against Hon Rebecca Kadaga’s 902 (7.2%).
For NRM Vice Chairperson, Northern Region, Obua Dennis Hamson won with 3,591 votes (67.4%) ahead of Sam Engola and Daniel Fred Kidega.
For NRM Vice Chairperson, Karamoja Region, Loki John Baptist secured 3,694 votes (81.1%) defeating Aachila John Roberts Rex, Johnson Ngorok, and Lokii Peter Abrahams.
For NRM Vice Chairperson, Central (Buganda) Region, Hon Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo polled 4,194 votes (50.3%) to beat Kalisa Kalangwa Moses with 3,981 votes (47.7%).
For NRM Vice Chairperson, Kampala Region, Salim Saad Uhuru emerged winner with 2,411 votes (63.2%), defeating Katongole Singh and Bukenya Collins Andrew.
For NRM Vice Chairperson, Eastern Region, Calvin David Echodu won almost unopposed with 5,211 votes (99.5%) after Capt. Mike Mukula withdrew in his favor.
For NRM Vice Chairperson, Western Region, Asiimwe Jonard triumphed with 4,044 votes (58.9%), beating Hon Chris Baryomunsi and several other contestants.
The party also confirmed special league leaders, including Col (Rtd) Tom Butiime for the Historical League, Arinaitwe Rwakajara for the Workers League, Mwanje Shafik for the PWDs League, Businge Penina Kabingani for the Elders League, Lt (Rtd) Mushabe Moses for the Veterans League, and Adrine Kobusinge for the Women’s League.
Congratulating the winners, President Museveni urged unity among victors and those who lost.
“I congratulate the Vice Chairpersons who have been elected. Those who are not happy, we shall investigate those who played some games and find out,” he remarked.
The conference also drew international solidarity from fraternal parties across Africa.
Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General, Hon Hassan Omar, conveyed greetings from President William Ruto, praising NRM’s transformation and endorsing Museveni’s 2026 candidacy.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Dr. William Ruto, I congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the NRM and your nomination as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2026 elections,” Hon Omar said.
He lauded Uganda under Museveni as a model of stability and ideological clarity.
“Your Excellency, the UDA wishes you and the NRM victory in next year’s general elections. I am sure you will win it,” he declared.
Rwanda’s RPF delegation, led by Secretary General Amb Wellars Gasamagera, also reaffirmed the bond between the two movements.
“The bond between the RPF and the NRM is not merely political; it is historical and ideological. It has been forged in the fires of resistance against oppression and rooted in our shared vision for dignity, sovereignty, and emancipation of our peoples,” he said.
South Africa’s ANC Deputy Secretary General, Nomvula Mokonyane, saluted NRM’s achievements and linked them to Africa’s broader liberation cause.
“Today, we celebrate the achievements of the NRM in consolidating your independence, your stability, as well as development in Uganda. We equally reaffirm that the ANC stands shoulder to shoulder with you in advancing the broader struggle for Africa,” she said.
She further called African unity a necessity in resisting foreign interference.
“Our gathering here today affirms the timeless truth that African Unity is not a luxury, but a necessity in the challenges we face,” she declared.
Other delegations, including South Sudan’s SPLM, Burundi’s CNDD-FDD, and the Sahrawi Republic, also paid tribute to NRM’s legacy and its pan-African role.
Each delegation underscored the continued relevance of NRM as a force for liberation, integration, and peace on the continent.
