Minister Babalanda rallies district leaders to turn NRM Manifesto promises into results

What the report says

KYANKWANZI, Uganda — Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West MP Milly Babirye Babalanda used a leadership retreat in Kyankwanzi to press district political and technical leaders to focus on outcomes rather than just activities, spending plans, or reports. According to Watchdog Uganda, she spoke on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) before leaders drawn from the Ankole, Kasese, Bunyoro, Tooro and Kigezi sub-regions.

The retreat was intended to help local governments align their programmes, plans and budgets with the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto and the National Development Plan IV. Babalanda said the manifesto should be treated as a commitment to citizens and judged by whether it improves services and living standards at district and household level. She pointed to priorities such as better schools and health facilities, roads, clean water, sanitation, youth and women’s opportunities, and more efficient public services.

She also urged closer teamwork among Resident District Commissioners, district chairpersons, mayors, NRM leaders, chief administrative officers and town clerks, warning against rivalry and weak accountability. Babalanda stressed stronger financial management, procurement, supervision and early monitoring of projects, saying public money must be treated as a trust.

The minister framed wealth creation and household income growth as central goals, encouraging districts to identify local strengths in agriculture, value addition, tourism, trade, innovation and digital services. The meeting brought together senior officials from the Office of the President and the Manifesto Implementation Unit, underscoring the government’s push to tie local planning more closely to national policy goals.