Kyankwanzi — President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly given each of the 400 NRM Members of Parliament Shs100m during the party’s retreat at Kyankwanzi.
The payout, totalling over Shs40 billion, came at the end of a nine-day retreat on April 14 in Kyankwanzi, with Shs20 million given in cash on the spot and the rest promised soon.
Museveni called it support for financially strained legislators facing swearing-in costs in mid-May, amid debts often over Shs900 million each, while urging Parliament to stay corruption-free.
Critics like opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi and anti-corruption advocate Marlon Agaba questioned its impact on legislative independence, suspecting taxpayer funds, as NRM officials remain vague on the source. The move echoes past handouts and fuels debate as the new Parliament reconvenes.
Corruption will kill Uganda
Museveni later issued a stark warning to Members of Parliament, declaring corruption a deadly threat to Uganda’s future as he closed the NRM retreat at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi.
“I do not want to hear of corruption in Parliament. If there is corruption in Parliament, how will you control others? You are the oversight body,” President Museveni said.
“It will kill Uganda. It is suicide and must not be tolerated.”
The President used the final session of the week-long retreat to challenge legislators to uphold integrity, warning that corruption at the highest levels undermines governance and national development.
Warning over bribery and abuse of office
President Museveni revealed concerns about alleged bribery linked to parliamentary processes, particularly budget approvals.
“I have heard that some people demand money before passing budgets. One official refused and reported the matter. This must stop,” he said.
He cautioned that any leader found engaging in bribery would face consequences. “If we hear that you are giving bribes to get office, you will be disqualified.”
Wealth creation remains central
Beyond the anti-corruption message, the President emphasised the need for leaders to champion wealth creation and transition citizens into the money economy.
“By the time of independence, only about 9% of homesteads were in the money economy. The rest were producing just for the stomach,” he said.
“Our message has always been that our people must enter the money economy.”
He pointed to progress in the cattle corridor as evidence that mindset change and government interventions are yielding results.
“The cattle corridor has transformed because people changed their mindset and followed the message,” he noted.
Kyankwanzi’s historical significance
The President also reflected on the historical importance of Kyankwanzi, linking it to Uganda’s liberation struggle and the ideological grounding of leaders.
“This place is very important for two reasons,” he said, recounting how NRA forces led by Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh captured Masindi Barracks in 1984.
“That is why I always bring you here,” he added, describing the area as ideal for reflection and leadership training.
