Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has defended the inclusivity and objectives of its ongoing leadership retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, amid renewed debate over opposition participation and criticism of activities at the gathering.
Speaking during NBS Eagle on Sunday, the Senior Manager for Information, Communications and Public Relations at the NRM, Rogers Mulindwa, said the National Leadership Institute remains open to all political leaders and serves as a platform for shared learning and national engagement.
He said invitations were extended to opposition parties and leaders who had previously participated in the program, though most did not respond.
“The National Leadership Institute is for all leaders. We sent letters inviting opposition parties and their leaders who had previously attended to come and study together, but most did not respond, except Hon. Norbert Mao,” he said.
Mulindwa added that the NRM expected greater participation from opposition leaders, particularly the Leader of the Opposition, arguing that such engagement would contribute to national development and governance discussions.
“We expected the Leader of the Opposition to attend such gatherings because they can contribute to achieving our objectives. Both opposition and ruling party leaders play a role in addressing national issues, which is why we invited them,” he said.
Mulindwa further emphasized that beyond learning ruling party principles, opposition leaders would benefit from understanding internal governance structures.
“Beyond learning NRM norms, the opposition would have had an opportunity to understand how the ruling party operates, with full transparency. If I were them, I would have attended Kyankwanzi,” he said.
Speaking on the same program, former Common Man’s Party presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, popularly known as “Mugati gwa Butter,” said he was not invited to the retreat and would not have attended even if invited.
He expressed concern over the nature of some activities conducted at the National Leadership Institute, which he argued have shifted away from neutral leadership training.
Munyagwa further alleged that the institute has increasingly emphasized party-oriented practices, including symbolic activities such as “crossing rivers,” which he said are repeatedly highlighted during training sessions.
According to party officials, the retreat—scheduled to run until Wednesday—aims to equip Members of Parliament with knowledge and skills necessary for effective parliamentary service. Key areas of focus include governance priorities, legislative procedures, policy alignment, and national development strategies. The program also provides guidance on the role of MPs in implementing government programs, while reinforcing party ideology and cohesion among members.
Officials further noted that the retreat brings together both newly elected and returning legislators under the NRM banner, alongside senior party leaders and members of the Central Executive Committee.
Debate surrounding the retreat intensified after Speaker of Parliament Anita Among used a pointed analogy to describe the limits of political cooperation, remarks widely interpreted as referencing Democratic Party (DP) President and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao. In a now famous bedroom analogy, Among said cooperation between political parties has defined boundaries that should not be crossed.
“We do cooperate with other political parties, but the cooperation doesn’t mean that you come up to my bedroom; you remain in the compound,” she said.
Her remarks come amid scrutiny over Mao’s participation in the NRM parliamentary caucus retreat, which is traditionally attended by rilinh party members.
In response Mao defended his attendance in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after a video clip of Among’s remarks circulated online.
“This is not just bad politics. It is bad manners!” Only the head of the family has the final word on who can access which room in the home. He doesn’t need lectures from a recently adopted child! Above all, when you insult your father’s visitors, you’ve insulted your father,” he said.
The Kyankwanzi leadership retreat, hosted at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi, remains a key fixture in the NRM’s internal political organization. It serves as a platform for aligning members on policy direction, strengthening internal cohesion, and coordinating legislative strategy ahead of major parliamentary business.
Over the years, the retreat has played a central role in shaping party discipline and harmonizing government priorities among legislators and senior officials.
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