President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered a fresh crackdown on corruption, absenteeism among public servants and alleged theft of medicines in government health facilities, warning that non-performing workers will be replaced.
Addressing members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Friday, President Museveni said concerns raised by citizens during his recent countrywide campaigns required urgent government action.
The President, who is also the NRM national chairman, said health service delivery, corruption, the Parish Development Model (PDM), crime, local government staffing, cancer and other non-communicable diseases were among key issues that government must address.
“I wanted to use this opportunity to tell you what I’m picking on the ground,” President Museveni told the legislators, referring to the old newspaper Gambuuze, which means “ask me about the news.”
Health sector concerns
President Museveni said shortages of medicines in public health facilities and reports of patients being sent to private pharmacies had emerged as major concerns among Ugandans.
He questioned whether the shortages were caused by inadequate supplies or theft by health workers and officials.
“Health needs to be addressed. There’s some corruption in the health centres. You don’t find drugs there. Is it because there are no drugs or they’re being stolen?” he asked.
The President said he would personally follow up on the matter and promised that Cabinet would discuss ways of improving medicine availability in government facilities.
“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.
He also raised concern over absenteeism among health workers, especially doctors who fail to report to their stations despite being employed by government.
President Museveni said Uganda had many qualified young professionals who could replace workers who do not perform their duties.
“We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” he warned.
He said improving health services was essential because illness affects productivity and household incomes.
“The last time I was sick with malaria was in the bush. Sickness is lost contribution time,” he said.
Cancer burden
The President also expressed concern over the growing number of Ugandans seeking treatment abroad, particularly for cancer.
He said government needed to investigate the causes of rising cancer cases and strengthen prevention measures.
“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.
President Museveni said while infectious diseases such as Guinea worm, measles and polio had been significantly controlled, non-communicable diseases including cancer and diabetes were becoming a major challenge.
He recalled his earlier concerns about possible links between fungal contamination and liver cancer, saying he had previously taken measures regarding shelled groundnuts.
“I’m going to make proposals to Cabinet because cancers and diabetes are becoming too much,” he said.
PDM corruption
On corruption, President Museveni commended some government officials for taking action against graft at the local level, citing Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara and his deputy Justine Nameere.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” he said.
He linked public anger in some areas to alleged theft and misuse of PDM funds by local leaders and officials.
“Apparently, this local corruption where you have the LCs or some of the leaders taking the PDM money, that’s how you get local resentment,” he said.
The President directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Minister Barugahara to investigate allegations of PDM fund theft in districts including Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo.
He recalled that during his campaign visit to Maracha, a political rally turned into a discussion on PDM implementation.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
However, he praised Kasese District, saying reports indicated that the programme was performing well there.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” he said.
President Museveni described PDM as a transformative programme capable of improving household incomes if properly implemented.
“PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told MPs.
Jobs sale allegations
The President also raised concern over alleged corruption in local government recruitment, saying some government jobs were reportedly being sold to applicants.
He cited a case in Kibale where he claimed a government position was allegedly being offered at Shs10 million.
“They told me in Kibale a government job was going for 10 million shillings,” he said.
He urged MPs to monitor recruitment processes and ensure that employment opportunities are based on merit.
Focus on development priorities
President Museveni criticised what he described as excessive focus on creating new districts, cities and political positions instead of investing in programmes aimed at increasing household incomes.
He singled out irrigation as a key intervention in fighting poverty.
“I have been telling you about irrigation to get out of poverty, but people are just minding about new districts, cities, salaries, etc., because they want leadership positions,” he said.
He cited proposals to divide Ntungamo District into three districts, saying some people were motivated by the desire to create additional political positions.
President Museveni urged MPs to focus on strategic priorities including defence, security, roads, railway development, education and irrigation.
He also called for cooperation between political leaders and security agencies in fighting crime.
NRM caucus resolutions
Following the President’s address, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus adopted 11 resolutions aimed at strengthening government programmes and party discipline.
The resolutions, presented by Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, included continued support for strategic sectors such as security, roads, railways, irrigation, health and education.
The caucus also pledged support for the fight against corruption and committed to promoting discipline and integrity during electoral processes.
NRM legislators further agreed to continue supporting local council and women council elections.
The caucus reaffirmed monthly financial contributions by MPs, with each legislator expected to contribute Shs250,000 — Shs150,000 to the party and Shs100,000 to the parliamentary caucus.
The legislators also welcomed independent MPs aligned with NRM into the caucus.
On PDM, MPs resolved to strengthen monitoring of the programme and act against diversion, theft and corruption.
They also pledged to study challenges surrounding school fees in public schools and propose possible solutions.
Other resolutions included supporting value addition, expanding internal markets, promoting regional integration and backing Ambassador Olara Otunnu’s candidature for United Nations Secretary-General.
Dr Aceng thanked NRM MPs and independent legislators aligned with the caucus for supporting government business, including two Bills returned to Parliament by President Museveni — the Tax Amendment Bill and Excise Duty Bill.
She also commended MPs for supporting a motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to the Gaza Strip for a peacekeeping mission.
She said the decision demonstrated Parliament’s commitment to prioritising national interests and Uganda’s contribution to international peace and security.
