MPs train in spot shooting
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda’s security is anchored on the concept of a people’s army, where citizens are trained and can return to civilian life but remain available as a reserve force when needed, said President Yoweri Museveni.
“Ours is a people’s army. We encourage citizens to learn the science of arms so that in case of any threat, we can mobilise numbers for national defence,” he said, as he took Members of Parliament through shooting practice at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
He personally guided the legislators on basic firearms handling, and used the session to emphasise national defence, discipline, and the fight against corruption.
This event was the last activity of the MP’s retreat which kicked off on April 7 and ended on 14th April, 2026.
Museveni noted that a national defence system enables even countries with smaller populations to build strong defence capacity through continuous training and mobilisation of reservists.
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“This is how you maximise defence. People train, go back to their normal lives, but remain ready. That is what they do in countries like Israel, where citizens are called back for refresher training,” he added.
Reflecting on Uganda’s experience, the President cited past instances where trained local defence units were mobilised to respond to security challenges, underscoring the importance of preparedness.
Corruption destroys systems
Turning to governance, Museveni warned that corruption remains the biggest threat to national progress and urged leaders to take a firm stand against it.
“The first thing you must do is to fight corruption. If you don’t, all these efforts will be for nothing,” he said.
He cautioned Members of Parliament against engaging in bribery and vote-buying, describing the practice as detrimental to both leadership and national development.
MPs train in fire arm handling
“Do not bribe voters. You cannot give someone a small amount of money to decide leadership for five years. That is wrong,” he emphasised.
The President also encouraged legislators to embrace financial discipline and utilise existing support systems such as savings and credit cooperatives instead of unsustainable borrowing.
“A bankrupt leader should not be a leader. Stand on your own and work with the systems we have put in place,” he advised.
Wazalendo lifts soldiers
The President said that the government had historically prioritised collective welfare programmes for the army, including schools for soldiers’ children, scholarships, and SACCO initiatives such as Wazalendo, to improve livelihoods.
“We did not have much money for high salaries, but we focused on supporting soldiers through education, housing, and healthcare,” he said.
He also noted that the government had to encourage families of soldiers to engage in productive activities to boost household incomes without engaging in corruption practices.
As the retreat came to a close, President Museveni urged the legislators to return to their constituencies with a renewed commitment to service, integrity, and wealth creation among wananchi.
Uganda’s transformation, he noted, depends on disciplined leadership, elimination of corruption, and empowering citizens to participate in the money economy.
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