President Museveni Attends Election of UPDF Representatives to Parliament at Bombo Land Forces HQ

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged leaders to focus on solving the real, everyday challenges faced by citizens, emphasizing that practical problem-solving has been the backbone of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) since its inception. The President delivered the message while presiding over the election of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) representatives to Parliament at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, during the Defence Council Delegates Conference on 28th January 2026. UPDF officers elected ten representatives—seven men and three women—to represent the army in Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Among those elected are senior military officers including Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Lt. Gen. James Mugira, Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Brig. Gen. Gonyi David, Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, Maj. Gen. James Kinalwa, and Brig. Gen. Joseph Ssemwanga. The elected female representatives are Col. Meeme Sylvia, Col. Ikiriza Knight, and Col. Nekesa Christine Situma. President Museveni thanked the UPDF High Command for the nominations and explained that effective leadership requires identifying issues that can be solved and acting on them decisively. He cited the Runyankore principle of “okukyenura”, describing it as a method of addressing people’s needs through deliberate action. Reflecting on Uganda’s progress, the President highlighted key achievements of the NRM government, including restoring discipline within the armed forces, stabilizing the economy, rebuilding national infrastructure, and expanding immunization programs. He also pointed to wealth creation and social development initiatives such as Universal Primary Education, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, and the Parish Development Model as pillars of grassroots transformation. The President further explained that UPDF Members of Parliament play a critical role in observing national developments and providing early feedback to leadership, helping prevent policy and governance errors. He tasked the newly elected representatives with monitoring key government programs, including free education, healthcare services, road construction, and immunization efforts. On matters of democracy and elections, President Museveni reiterated the importance of allowing citizens to freely choose their leaders through transparent electoral processes. He commended the UPDF and security agencies for maintaining peace during the recent elections. The Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, praised the discipline exhibited by UPDF officers during the voting exercise and called for unity and calm as the election season concludes. The event also saw the commissioning of three officer cadets who completed their military training in Sri Lanka and Tanzania.