KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, has called for a gathering of all legislators aligned with the National Resistance Movement (NRM). This meeting is set to take place at the State House in Entebbe.
The invitations were dispatched to the NRM Members of Parliament via the Government Chief Whip, Mr. Hamson Obua. According to the notice, the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at midday and concluding at 5pm. A notable requirement is that all invitees must undergo a Covid-19 test to gain access to the meeting.
In part, Mr. Obua’s letter reads, “This is to notify and invite you for a caucus meeting scheduled to take place on September 28 at State House Entebbe.”
While the invitation from the Government Chief Whip doesn’t specify the agenda or topics for discussion, Mr. Brandon Kintu, the NRM Caucus spokesperson, mentioned that the primary purpose is to facilitate an “internal interaction as members of the same family.” He added, “The most important and key agenda is to have an interaction with the chairperson of the party. You all know that we [NRM] have the responsibility of ensuring that what we pledge in the manifesto in the next five years [is implemented],” but didn’t delve into further details.
This meeting comes on the heels of the Speaker of Parliament canceling plenary sessions due to ministerial absences. It remains unclear whether this issue will be up for discussion as President Museveni, who also serves as the NRM party chairperson, convenes with lawmakers tomorrow.
Simultaneously, the caucus call occurs while the Trade Committee, led by Mr. Mwine Mpaka, the MP for Mbarara City South, is investigating potential misappropriation and misuse of funds designated for cooperatives across the country. These sessions, initiated with discussions between Ministry of Trade officials and committee members, have been conducted behind closed doors, following Speaker Among’s directive issued nearly a month ago.
Mr. Mpaka explained, “We are looking at governance, value for money, and budget appropriations to these cooperatives.”
It’s noteworthy that President Museveni previously met with the NRM parliamentary caucus at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyakwanzi District from May 27 to June 5. During that meeting, he urged MPs to promote the Parish Development Model (PDM), among other matters.
