By Jumah Kakomo
The Vice President, Rt. Maj. Jessica Alupo, has urged newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to adopt disciplined lifestyles, warning against the dangers of extravagance and unsustainable borrowing.
Speaking on the seventh day of the ongoing NRM leaders’ retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, Alupo advised legislators to remain grounded despite their new status and responsibilities.
“They are now VIPs and they should control their expectations,” she said. “They should live within their means and continue working with the population the way they have been working before becoming Members of Parliament.”
Alupo emphasized that public office often comes with increased financial expectations and social pressure, which, if not carefully managed, can push leaders into debt. She cautioned MPs against taking unnecessary loans, noting that poor financial decisions could undermine both their personal stability and public service.
“They should exercise financial discipline… plan well and avoid unnecessary borrowing which may lead them into debts which are not sustainable,” she added.
The Vice President also encouraged the legislators to maintain close ties with their constituents, stressing that effective representation depends on continuous engagement with the people.
Beyond personal conduct, Alupo highlighted the importance of mentorship in leadership development. She described mentorship as a continuous process and called on both the new MPs and experienced leaders within the party to actively engage in it.
“Mentorship is not an activity, it is a process. I encourage them to continue looking out for mentorship, and senior members of the NRM to guide them,” she said.
On parliamentary performance, Alupo expressed confidence that the retreat had equipped especially first-time MPs with the necessary skills to effectively articulate national issues and contribute meaningfully to debate.
“From the discipline exhibited here… and the way members have been asking for clarifications, I have very high hopes that the 12th Parliament will be of high quality,” she noted.
She further reiterated the need for leaders to focus on national priorities, including wealth creation, industrialization, and improved service delivery. Alupo pointed to key areas such as commercial agriculture, infrastructure development, and anti-corruption efforts as critical to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The Vice President also reminded MPs of the importance of safeguarding the country’s achievements since 1986, particularly in peace and security, infrastructure, health, and education.
“All Ugandans should protect the peace and security that we have now so that we can use that peace as a foundation for investment and development,” she said.
The Kyankwanzi retreat continues to serve as a platform for aligning NRM leaders with the party’s manifesto and national development agenda ahead of the new parliamentary term.
