Kampala, Uganda: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer, Ambassador Hon. Nekesa Barbara Oundo, has defended the party’s Kyankwanzi retreat, dismissing claims that it is a platform for political indoctrination.
Speaking on Monday, April 6, 2026, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Nekesa said perceptions about the retreat are often misunderstood, noting that even her own views have evolved over time.
“I have seen many opposition MPs criticise Kyankwanzi as a place where people are brainwashed. I am here to inform you that this Kyankwanzi has transformed many people politically,” she said.
Nekesa emphasized that the retreat is intended to equip leaders with ideological grounding and practical orientation ahead of their legislative roles, especially following the just-concluded general elections.
“We are heading to Kyankwanzi as a party to account for the votes. We want to make sure that the manifesto is accomplished. Ugandans voted overwhelmingly for the NRM, and therefore, we need to orient our leaders about the core values of the party for the next term,” she stated.
Ahead of the retreat, Members of Parliament-elect, both newly elected and returning, gathered at Kololo for verification, accreditation, and COVID-19 testing before their departure to Kyankwanzi.
Participants are expected to spend at least week at the National Leadership Institute undergoing orientation ahead of the swearing-in of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
According to party officials, the programme will focus on governance priorities, legislative procedures, policy alignment, and national development strategies, while also reinforcing party ideology and cohesion.
The retreat will also guide legislators on their role in implementing government programmes and managing public expectations in their constituencies.
The Kyankwanzi retreat has, over the years, remained a central feature of the NRM’s internal organisation, serving as a platform for aligning members on policy direction and coordinating legislative strategy.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong said the retreat will also accommodate engagement with opposition-leaning legislators, noting that their participation is intended to foster dialogue on the role of opposition in socio-economic transformation.
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