KAMPALA: Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has confirmed he will attend the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus retreat scheduled for April 7–15 at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi District.
Mr Mao, who also serves as president of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), said on Monday that he had been invited to the meeting, which will be addressed by President Museveni and other senior leaders.
“I confirm that I will participate in the leaders’ retreat for the NRM Parliamentary Caucus from April 7 to 15 at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi. I thank our sister party, NRM, for the invitation,” Mr Mao said in a post on X.
His confirmation comes as Members of Parliament from the ruling NRM and party-leaning independents began registering on Sunday at the party headquarters in Kampala ahead of the retreat.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, NRM Secretary General Rt.Hon.Richard Todwong said the retreat will run from April 7 to April 15, 2026, bringing together newly elected NRM MPs, returning legislators, and NRM Leaning independent MPs willing to work with the party.
Mr Todwong said participants are expected to report to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala on April 6 for accreditation and COVID-19 testing before departing for Kyankwanzi the following day.
“As has been our culture, the party invites newly elected Members of Parliament to Kyankwanzi to bond, understand the party direction, and appreciate national priorities,” he said.
He added that the retreat will also be attended by members of the NRM Central Executive Committee, senior party officials, and cabinet ministers who are also MPs.
According to Todwong, about 72 independent MPs have been identified, with at least 40 already having signed memoranda of understanding to cooperate with the NRM. He noted that others are expected to join before the retreat begins.
Mr Mao’s participation has drawn attention, given his leadership role in the Democratic Party and his recent return to Parliament as MP for Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City.
The development also comes amid speculation on social media that Mr Mao is being backed by some senior leaders for the position of Speaker of Parliament, currently held by Ms Anita Among. However, sources within the ruling party indicate that the NRM is likely to support Ms Among to retain the seat.
Mr Mao’s decision to attend the retreat has sparked mixed reactions among political observers. While some view it as a sign of growing political cooperation between the DP and the ruling party, others argue it reflects a deepening alignment of Mr Mao with the NRM.
NRM Deputy Secretary General Rt.Hon. Namayanja Rose Nsereko said the retreat will be held under a theme focused on aligning leaders to protect national gains while steering Uganda towards a higher middle-income status.
The retreat will run under the theme, “Aligning the NRM leadership towards protecting the gains and making the qualitative leap towards a higher middle-income status society.”
She explained that the programme will cover a wide range of topics, including NRM ideology, governance, regional geopolitics, national security, and political economy, with emphasis on the party’s “Musevenomics” approach.
Other key areas will include human capital development, infrastructure, agriculture, and the legislative role of Parliament, particularly in managing public expectations and ensuring effective representation.
Namayanja noted that special emphasis will be placed on ideological grounding, especially for first-time and younger MPs, to equip them with a clear understanding of the party’s principles and policy direction.
The retreat will be officially opened and closed by President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairman.
Party officials say the Kyankwanzi retreat remains a critical platform for shaping the legislative and policy direction of the new Parliament and strengthening cohesion within the ruling party
