Museveni tells NRM MPs to return to grassroots politics, fight corruption

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has urged NRM Members of Parliament to return to the party’s grassroots style of politics, telling them to spend more time with voters, monitor government programmes and respond directly to community problems. According to Nile Post, he made the remarks on Friday at the NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, which was held after a three-week parliamentary recess and formed part of the fourth sitting of the first session of the 12th Parliament.

Museveni, who also serves as NRM national chairperson, said leaders should hold barazas and other local engagements instead of relying on large, highly staged events that may distance them from ordinary citizens. He argued that direct contact with communities helped the NRM build support in its earlier years. He also backed what he described as a low-cost and practical approach to fighting corruption, linked in the report to Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara.

The president further told MPs to closely supervise the Parish Development Model in their constituencies and verify which households have received support, saying the programme should help people move into the money economy and out of poverty. Nile Post reports that he stressed constituency-level monitoring as part of the MPs’ role.

The caucus later resolved to step up anti-corruption efforts using grassroots methods, with greater oversight of local government, health and education services. It also agreed to be more vigilant on crime, including livestock theft, coffee theft and murders.