HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I President Yoweri Museveni hascautioned the lawmakers against corruption and urged them to embrace the grassroots approach to fighting the vice being championed by the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara.
He said Balaam’s approach was practical and not expensive, citing it as one of the earlier methods that helped the NRM build its support among citizens.
“Some people miscalculated, but slowly we have taken the role in fighting corruption in the army and now we are beginning to wake up. Hon. Balaam is implementing what I have been talking about all the time,” President Museveni said.
President Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairperson, made the remarks on Friday, October 2, 2026, while addressing the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. The meeting was the fourth of the first session of the 12th Parliament and was held as NRM MPs returned from a three-week parliamentary recess.
The President said the NRM gained the confidence of the people because its leaders were directly involved in addressing problems at community level.
“What Balaam and Nameere are doing; they are fighting corrupt people. That is why I put them into the local government. We fought corruption in the army and now the vice has been in the villages,” he said.
He urged MPs to organise barazas and other grassroots engagements in their constituencies instead of relying on highly organised events that, he said, could create a disconnect between leaders and citizens.
“I appeal to you to interact with the people directly. You will see, it will be easy to solve people’s problems easily. This business of bringing food, water and musicians to sing, it is because you have detached from the people. But deal with the problems. So please go back to the work methods of the NRM,” he said.
He recalled the 1996 elections, saying he almost missed the nomination deadline after being delayed in Nakasero and eventually had to use a boda boda with his wife to beat the 5pm deadline.
Chief Whip raises election petitions
Earlier, the Government Chief Whip and Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, conveyed condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro and the royal family following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and congratulated the new King, Edward Kijanangoma Nyabongo I.
“Allow me to convey our deep condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro and the royal family on the passing on of King Oyo Rukidi IV. Thank you for the solidarity and leadership you portrayed Your Excellency,” Dr. Aceng said.
She informed the President that NRM members were facing election petitions arising from the 2026 general elections.
“A total of 75 petitions involve our NRM MPs and flag bearers. They are all duly represented by counsel. They are requesting support towards their legal facilitation. Kindly look into this request Your Excellency,” she said.
On legislative business, Dr. Aceng reported progress on several matters, including the Agriculture Regulatory Bill, 2026, and a report by the Committee on Physical Infrastructure concerning the Kampala Expressway and toll collections.
She said the report recommended criminal investigations by the Inspectorate of Government, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Uganda Revenue Authority.
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