Nakapiripirit, Uganda – In the wake of vibrant Labour Day celebrations held in Nakapiripirit, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni delivered a powerful national address highlighting Uganda’s development strides and laying out crucial upcoming political activities within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The President began by congratulating Ugandans, particularly the youth—affectionately referred to as the Bazzukulu—for their patriotism and participation in Labour Day events. With characteristic directness, he expressed disappointment in skeptics whom he termed “Nshoninkyes”—those who he says dismiss the NRM’s progress and lack the shame to admit wrongdoing.
Drawing attention to the tangible developments in remote regions like Karamoja, Museveni spoke proudly of the new infrastructure—tarmac roads, power lines, and telecom masts—that now connect Uganda from border to border. “Uganda is now connected by tarmac roads from South Sudan to Tanzania, from Rwanda to the DRC, and from Kenya to western Uganda,” he said, citing examples such as the roads linking Kitgum to the Congo border and Malaba to Kasese.
Acknowledging missteps in infrastructure maintenance, Museveni criticized delays in repairing major highways like Mityana–Fort Portal and Mukono–Jinja. “That mistake is being corrected,” he assured, noting that alternative routes remain available, even if longer.
Museveni also commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for recent regional military victories. In South Sudan, UPDF forces supported local allies to swiftly recapture Nassir from insurgents. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, UPDF collaboration with Congolese forces has significantly weakened the ADF rebels and curbed sectarian violence fueled by CODECO.
Turning to political matters, the President called upon all NRM members across the country to gather at their village centres by 10am on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, for two critical activities:
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Verification of members in the NRM village registers
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Election of LCI chairperson party flag-bearers and village NRM structures
“These activities will be conducted strictly between 10am and 2pm,” he emphasized, urging members to participate actively in the democratic process.
President Museveni affirmed his commitment to transparency by announcing that he would personally attend the baraza in his home village of Rwakitura, while the First Lady, Maama Janet Museveni, would participate in Ntungamo, Ireenga. However, he clarified that as the NRM Chairman, he would not publicly support any candidate during the elections. “I welcome any choice of our members. I cannot and should not take sides,” he stated.
Museveni announced the suspension of cabinet and parliamentary sessions on May 5 and 6, respectively, to ensure full participation of leaders in the NRM’s grassroots democratic exercise.
The message, delivered with a blend of pride, candor, and resolve, underscores the President’s dual focus on development and participatory governance, as the country prepares for yet another cycle of internal party elections.
