By Eye Media Uganda | Kampala | August 8, 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday, August 7, 2026, ordered a fresh crackdown on absenteeism and suspected drug theft in public health facilities and corruption in the Parish Development Model (PDM), warning that government health workers who fail to serve citizens could be replaced by unemployed young professionals.
Addressing members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, President Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairman, said he had picked up several concerns from voters during his recent countrywide campaigns that require urgent government attention.
The President singled out health service delivery, corruption, PDM, crime, local government staffing, cancer and other non-communicable diseases among issues requiring action by the government and legislators.
“I wanted to use this opportunity to tell you what I’m picking on the ground,” Museveni told legislators, recalling the old newspaper Gambuuze, whose name roughly translates as “ask me about the news.”
Health service delivery emerged as one of his major concerns, particularly reports of medicine shortages at government health facilities and allegations that patients are being directed to private pharmacies and drug shops to purchase 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?” Museveni asked.
He said Cabinet would discuss the matter and promised to personally follow up on reports of medicine shortages and possible theft.
“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.
Museveni also raised concern over absenteeism among government health workers, particularly doctors who are expected to be serving in public facilities but are allegedly absent from their duty stations.
He said the government should not continue retaining workers who are unwilling to perform their duties when qualified young medical professionals remain unemployed.
“We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” Museveni warned.
The President said improving health service delivery was critical because illness not only affects families but also reduces productivity.
“The last time I was sick with malaria was in the bush. Sickness is lost contribution time,” he said.
Museveni also expressed concern about the increasing burden of cancer and diabetes, saying the government needs to investigate possible causes and strengthen prevention.
He noted that infectious diseases such as Guinea worm, measles and polio had been significantly controlled, but non-communicable diseases were increasingly becoming a major health challenge.
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.
He recalled his earlier concerns about possible links between fungal contamination and liver cancer and said he would present proposals to Cabinet on addressing the growing burden of cancer and diabetes.
“I’m going to make proposals to the Cabinet because cancers and diabetes are becoming too much,” Museveni said.
On corruption, Museveni commended some government officials whom he said were taking action against corruption at the local government level, singling out Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara and State Minister Justine Nameere.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” Museveni said.
He linked some of the resentment among citizens at the grassroots to alleged theft and diversion of PDM funds by local leaders and other 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.
Museveni told MPs that their newly acquired political positions gave them an opportunity to listen to citizens and expose corruption in their constituencies, urging them 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.
He warned legislators that remaining silent about corruption would neither help the government nor 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,” Museveni said.
The President also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to task Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara with investigating allegations of theft and corruption involving PDM funds in several areas.
Museveni cited Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo among places where allegations of PDM fund theft or misuse had been raised.
He recalled that during his campaign visit to Maracha, discussions about PDM dominated proceedings.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
The President, however, singled out Kasese District for praise, saying he had received reports that PDM was performing well there.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” Museveni said.
He described PDM as a potentially transformative programme for households if properly implemented.
“PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told MPs, urging legislators and local leaders to monitor the programme, expose diversion and ensure beneficiaries receive the intended support.
Museveni also raised concern over alleged corruption in the recruitment of local government workers, saying he had received reports that government jobs were being sold to applicants.
He cited a case in Kibale where, according to information presented to him, a government job was allegedly being offered for Shs10 million.
“Then you come to the local government. The selling of local government jobs. They told me in Kibale a government job was going for 10 million shillings,” Museveni said.
He urged MPs to monitor recruitment processes and ensure government employment is based on merit rather than the ability of applicants to pay.
The President also criticised what he described as excessive focus on creating new districts, cities and political positions at the expense of programmes designed to increase household incomes.
He said government should concentrate on strategic priorities, particularly irrigation, which he described as a “lifesaver” in the fight against poverty.
“I have been telling you—seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and the rest will be added unto you. 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,” Museveni said.
He cited a proposal to split Ntungamo District into three districts, saying the motivation, according to his account, was partly linked to the desire to create additional political positions.
“For example, they wanted to split Ntungamo into three districts because some people wanted to become women members of Parliament,” he said.
Museveni told MPs to focus on what he described as Uganda’s core development priorities, including defence and security, roads, railway infrastructure, schools and irrigation.
He further called on local government leaders and MPs to work closely with security agencies to combat crime, saying criminality should not be allowed to undermine development.
NRM Caucus Adopts 11 Resolutions
Following the President’s address, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus adopted 11 resolutions outlining its commitment to supporting government programmes and strengthening discipline within the ruling party.
The resolutions were presented by Government Chief Whip Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
The caucus resolved to support strategic government programmes in priority areas, including defence, security, railways, roads, irrigation, health and education.
It also committed itself to supporting the fight against corruption across all sectors of government as part of efforts to promote Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
On elections, the caucus resolved to support discipline and integrity in electoral processes, both within the NRM and nationally, and to desist from all forms of electoral malpractice.
The legislators pledged continued support for the ongoing and forthcoming local council and women’s council elections and reaffirmed their commitment to financial contributions agreed upon by the NRM Central Executive Committee.
Under the arrangement, 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.
The caucus also welcomed independent MPs who support the NRM into the parliamentary caucus.
On PDM, legislators resolved to continue supporting the programme, enhance its uptake and visibility, and strengthen follow-up on cases involving alleged diversion, theft and corruption.
The MPs also resolved to study the issue of school fees in public schools and make proposals on how government can address the challenge, while supporting value addition, internal markets and regional integration.
The caucus further resolved to support the candidature of Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Earlier, Dr. Aceng thanked members of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for what she described as their commitment, discipline and patriotism since the beginning of the 12th Parliament.
She also thanked NRM legislators and independent MPs aligned with the caucus for supporting the reconsideration of the Tax Amendment Bill and Excise Duty Bill after President Museveni returned them to Parliament.
“By supporting the guidance you gave, the caucus once again demonstrated its commitment to advancing government business and protecting the interests of our country under your able leadership,” Aceng told the President.
Aceng also commended MPs for supporting a motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to the Gaza Strip for a peacekeeping mission.
“I also wish to thank members for supporting the motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces to the Gaza Strip for a peacekeeping mission at yesterday’s sitting,” she said.
She said the decision demonstrated that MPs could put national interests above partisan considerations when called upon to make critical decisions, adding that Uganda remained proud of the contribution of its armed forces to regional and international peace and security.
