H.E. President Museveni’s Statement on NRM’s Ideological and Strategic Vision

In a recent address to the nation, President Yoweri K. Museveni, the leader of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), discussed the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its organizational structure and reaffirm its ideological and strategic foundations. Speaking to fellow Ugandans and the “Bazzukulu” (grandchildren), the President highlighted the success of a nationwide exercise launched on May 6, 2025, to audit and update the NRM membership register. This initiative began with village conferences and culminated in two significant conferences held at Kololo, often referred to by Ugandans as “Namboole” due to its historical associations with past events held at the Namboole Stadium.

The membership audit, a massive undertaking, revealed the NRM’s enduring strength, with over 20 million registered members across the country, of whom 18.5 million are of voting age (18 years and older). In his home village of Rwakyitura, for instance, the President noted that the original register listed 350 members. However, after accounting for migrations, deaths, and other factors, the verified number stood at approximately 251. He emphasized that this exercise was a testament to the NRM’s commitment to grassroots engagement and organizational rigor.

President Museveni reiterated the NRM’s core ideology, which is anchored in four fundamental principles: patriotism (love for Uganda), Pan-Africanism (love for Africa), socio-economic transformation, and democracy. He explained that these principles prioritize the collective interests of Ugandans and Africans over divisive identities based on tribe or religion. “Why love Uganda, why love Africa, and why not only love your tribe or religious sect? Because you need them for your prosperity and strategic security, as well as for market and defense potential,” he stated. He added that the NRM’s politics is driven by interests rather than identity, welcoming anyone who subscribes to these values to join the movement.

A key issue raised during the National Executive Committee (NEC) conference was the debate over the status of old versus new NRM members, a topic brought up by Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga. The President firmly rejected any notion of prioritizing longevity of membership, citing both practical and ideological reasons. He recalled addressing this issue years ago, noting that legal checks confirmed that no minimum time requirement exists for members to qualify for party positions. Even if such a guideline were to exist, he argued, it would be misguided.

To illustrate his point, President Museveni drew on the biblical parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), where workers hired at different times of the day received equal wages. He likened the NRM to the vineyard owner, emphasizing that all members, whether long-standing or new, should be treated equally. “In the Kingdom of God, there are no young or old,” he quoted, underscoring that political parties must avoid creating hierarchies based on tenure. He warned that discriminating against or resenting new members could alienate potential allies, citing the Democratic Party’s (DP) missteps in 1980 as a cautionary tale. The DP’s failure to fully embrace new supporters, including former members of Kabaka Yekka and other factions, contributed to its political setbacks.

President Museveni also shared his own political journey to highlight the importance of inclusivity. A former DP member from 1960 to 1970, he joined the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) in 1970, distributing UPC cards in a DP stronghold. Despite his activism—mobilizing communities to abandon nomadism, founding the University Students African Revolutionary Front (USARF), and leading a student delegation to Mozambique’s liberated zones in 1968—the UPC failed to fully harness his contributions. This missed opportunity, he argued, underscores the need for political parties to recognize and integrate new talent without prejudice.

Drawing another biblical analogy, the President referenced St. Paul, a former persecutor of Christians who became a leading apostle after his conversion. Similarly, new NRM members, regardless of their past affiliations, should be embraced as equals, as they could bring significant value to the party’s mission.

President Museveni urged NRM members to focus on solving the people’s problems through government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, rather than engaging in internal rivalries. He warned that discriminating against newcomers could undermine the party’s strength and alienate supporters, potentially repeating the mistakes of past political movements. “In political parties, all members should be equal,” he emphasized, advocating for a unified approach to advance the NRM’s goals.

The President concluded by promising to address organizational issues, including the challenge of corruption, in a future address. For now, his message was clear: the NRM’s strength lies in its inclusivity, ideological clarity, and commitment to the prosperity and security of its members.