President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered a fresh crackdown on corruption, absenteeism, and drug shortages in public health facilities,warning that government workers who fail to serve citizens will be replaced by younger professionals.
The President singled out the health sector, corruption, the Parish Development Model (PDM), crime, local government staffing, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases among the issues that must be addressed by the government and legislators.
He said health service delivery had emerged as a major concern during his interactions with citizens, particularly the shortage of medicines at public health facilities and reports of patients being directed to private drug shops and pharmacies to buy medicines.
“Health needs to be addressed. There’s some corruption in the health centers. You don’t find drugs there. Is it because there are no drugs or they’re being stolen?” President Museveni asked.
“In health facilities you find that there are no drugs, and people are being told to go and buy from outside in drug shops and pharmacies. This one must stop. I’m going to check,” he said.
The President also raised concern over absenteeism among health workers, particularly doctors who are expected to be serving in government facilities but are allegedly absent from their stations.
He said the government had enough qualified young medical professionals who could be recruited to fill positions occupied by workers who do not report for duty.
According to President Museveni, the government should not continue retaining health workers who are unwilling to perform their duties when qualified young professionals remain unemployed.
“We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” he said.
The President said improving health service delivery was critical because illness not only affects individual families but also reduces productivity.
“The last time I was sick with malaria was in the bush. Sickness is lost contribution time,” he said.
The President said he frequently receives requests from Ugandans seeking assistance to travel abroad, particularly to India, for cancer treatment.
“People are contacting me to go to India for treatment. What is causing the cancer? Why are cancers so much now? Why is it so rampant?” he asked.
On corruption, the NRM National Chairman commended some officials of the government whom he said were taking action against corruption at the local level.
He specifically thanked Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara and his junior Justine Nameere for their efforts in fighting corruption.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” President Museveni said.
Museveni however told MPs that their newly acquired political positions gave them an opportunity to listen to citizens and expose corruption in their constituencies. He urged legislators to become outspoken leaders rather than remain silent in the face of wrongdoing.
“Therefore, now that you are elected, it will be very easy for people to tell you. If you want to be a good leader, be a durable leader, not a seasonal leader. I want you to be good leaders. Speak out,” he said.
President Museveni warned that keeping quiet about corruption would not help either the government or the population.
“If you think that keeping quiet is good, it will not help at all. I would really like to mobilize you people to fight corruption without fear, and you will be very popular among the population,” he said.
The President also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Minister Balaam Barugahara to investigate allegations of theft and
corruption involving PDM funds in a number of districts citing Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga, and Buwambo where he said allegations of PDM fund theft or misuse had been raised.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
The President urged legislators and local leaders to monitor the program,expose diversion, and ensure that beneficiaries receive the intended support.
The President also raised concern over alleged corruption in the recruitment of local government workers citing a case in Kibale where government job was allegedly being offered for Shs10 million.
President Museveni told MPs to focus on what he described as the countrys core development priorities, including defense and security, roads, railway infrastructure, schools, and irrigation.
The caucus resolved to support strategic government programs in priority areas, including defense, security, railways, roads, irrigation, health, and education.It also resolved to continue supporting the fight against corruption across all sectors of government as part of efforts to promote Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Under the resolution, MPs are expected to contribute Shs250,000 monthly, comprising Shs150,000 to the NRM Party and Shs100,000 to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, beginning June 2026.
