NRM Retreat 2026 Nears Close as Leaders Conclude Final Day Sessions in Kyankwanzi

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders’ retreat has entered its seventh and final day of classroom sessions at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), with delegates intensifying engagements ahead of the official closing activities.

The retreat, which has drawn together Members of Parliament, senior government officials, and party leaders from across the country, has served as a critical platform for aligning the ruling party’s leadership on governance priorities, service delivery, and the strategic direction of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.

On Monday morning, participants settled in for a series of high-level presentations, reflecting on key lessons and policy directions discussed throughout the week-long engagement. The atmosphere remained focused and reflective, as leaders prepared to transition from intensive classroom sessions to the retreat’s concluding phase.

A major highlight of the day was a compelling lecture delivered by the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng. Her presentation set a decisive tone for the day’s discussions, emphasizing the critical role of a resilient healthcare system in national development. Drawing from Uganda’s recent public health experiences, she underscored the importance of strengthening health infrastructure, improving workforce capacity, and enhancing emergency preparedness.

Dr Aceng also highlighted the need for sustained investment in preventive healthcare, noting that long-term national productivity is closely tied to the health and well-being of the population. Her remarks resonated strongly with participants, reinforcing the broader theme of linking sectoral performance to the country’s ambition of achieving higher middle-income status.

Throughout the day, additional facilitators are expected to take the floor, addressing a range of thematic areas including economic planning, governance coordination, and accountability in public service. These presentations are aimed at consolidating the knowledge shared over the past six days, while sharpening leaders’ focus on implementation and results.

The retreat has consistently emphasized the importance of cohesion among the three arms of government, effective communication between central and local authorities, and the need for leaders to take a more proactive role in monitoring government programmes. Discussions have also centered on boosting agricultural productivity, promoting value addition, and leveraging Uganda’s natural resources to drive inclusive growth.

As the classroom sessions draw to a close, attention is now shifting to the final phase of the retreat, which will include summary reflections, key resolutions, and guidance from senior party leadership. These closing activities are expected to crystallize the retreat’s outcomes into actionable commitments that will guide government policy and political strategy in the coming years.

The Kyankwanzi retreat has once again reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of the NRM’s internal capacity-building and policy alignment framework. By bringing leaders together in a structured environment for dialogue and learning, the party continues to strengthen its approach to governance and long-term national planning.

With the conclusion now in sight, expectations remain high that the insights and resolutions from this year’s retreat will translate into more coordinated leadership, improved service delivery, and accelerated progress toward Uganda’s development goals.