President Museveni has urged newly elected Members of Parliament from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to reduce foreign travel and dedicate more time to grassroots engagement to accelerate rural transformation.
Speaking during a campfire session at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi last evening, Museveni emphasized that effective leadership begins with a deep understanding of constituents.
The president cautioned MPs against spending excessive time on parliamentary committees and overseas benchmarking trips, warning that such engagements often disconnect leaders from the communities they represent.
He stressed that MPs should avoid incurring personal debts in the name of community support, advising them to rely on government programs to drive development.
Museveni highlighted the importance of promoting practical economic activities suited to smallholder farmers, including coffee growing, fruit farming, dairy, poultry, piggery, and fish farming.
He said proper guidance and consistent engagement can lift households into the money economy.
The president also reiterated the need for targeted interventions such as water infrastructure in arid regions like Karamoja, describing dams as critical for livestock-based livelihoods.