President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered a fresh crackdown on corruption, medicine shortages and absenteeism in public health facilities, warning that government workers who fail to serve citizens could be replaced by younger professionals.
President Museveni, who is also National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), issued the directive on Friday, August 7, 2026, while addressing the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
He said his recent countrywide campaigns had given him a clearer picture of concerns affecting citizens, including poor health service delivery, corruption, misuse of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, crime, local government staffing, cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
“I wanted to use this opportunity to tell you what I’m picking on the ground,” President Museveni told the legislators.
Medicine shortages
President Museveni said medicine shortages at government health facilities were among the issues repeatedly raised by citizens.
He questioned reports that patients are sometimes directed to private pharmacies and drug shops to obtain medicines that should be available at public facilities.
“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.
President Museveni said the matter would be taken up by Cabinet and promised to personally follow up on allegations of medicine theft.
“This one must stop. I’m going to check,” he said.
He also criticised absenteeism among government health workers, particularly doctors who are expected to serve in public facilities but allegedly fail to report for duty.
President Museveni said the government has qualified young medical professionals who can take up positions if existing workers continue to neglect their responsibilities.
“We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” he warned.
He described effective healthcare as an economic issue, saying illness deprives the country of productive time.
“The last time I was sick with malaria was in the bush. Sickness is lost contribution time,” he said.
Cancer, diabetes
President Museveni also expressed concern about the rising prevalence of cancer and diabetes, saying government needs to investigate their causes and strengthen prevention.
He contrasted the growing burden of non-communicable diseases with progress in controlling infectious diseases such as Guinea worm, measles and polio.
The President said he frequently receives requests from Ugandans seeking assistance to travel 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 earlier concerns he had raised about possible links between fungal contamination and liver cancer and said he would make proposals to Cabinet on cancer and diabetes.
“I’m going to make proposals to the Cabinet because cancers and diabetes are becoming too much,” he said.
PDM corruption
President Museveni also ordered stronger action against corruption in the Parish Development Model, saying theft and diversion of funds were contributing to public dissatisfaction at the local level.
He commended Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara and Minister of State for Gender, Culture and Community Development Justine Nameere for their efforts to expose corruption.
“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” he said.
President Museveni directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to task Minister Barugahara with investigating allegations of PDM fund theft and misuse in several areas, including Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo.
He recalled that his campaign visit to Maracha had effectively turned into a discussion about PDM after residents raised concerns over the programme.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
Kasese, however, was cited as an example where the programme was reportedly performing well.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” President Museveni said.
He described PDM as a potentially transformative programme if properly implemented.
“PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told MPs.
He urged legislators to closely monitor implementation, expose diversion and ensure that intended beneficiaries receive government support.
MPs told to speak out
President Museveni challenged MPs to use their positions to expose corruption rather than remain silent.
He said legislators have an advantage because citizens can directly bring local problems to their attention.
“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 that silence in the face of corruption would ultimately undermine both government programmes and public confidence.
“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.
Jobs allegedly sold
President Museveni also raised concern over alleged corruption in local government recruitment.
He said he had received reports that government jobs were being sold to applicants, citing an alleged case in Kibale where a government position was reportedly 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,” he said.
He urged MPs to monitor recruitment processes and ensure that government employment is awarded on merit.
Irrigation over new districts
President Museveni also criticised what he described as excessive political focus on creating new districts, cities and leadership positions instead of investing in programmes that directly raise household incomes.
He particularly emphasised irrigation as a key intervention for reducing 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 a proposal to split Ntungamo District into three districts, arguing that the push was partly motivated by the desire to create additional political positions.
He urged MPs to focus on what he described as the country’s strategic priorities, including defence and security, roads, railway infrastructure, schools and irrigation.
He also called on political leaders to work with security agencies to address crime and prevent criminality from undermining development.
NRM caucus adopts 11 resolutions
Following the President’s address, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus adopted 11 resolutions outlining its commitments on government programmes, party discipline and parliamentary business.
The resolutions were presented by Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.
The caucus resolved to support strategic government programmes in defence, security, railways, roads, irrigation, health and education, while strengthening the fight against corruption.
On elections, the legislators pledged to uphold discipline and integrity in electoral processes within the NRM and nationally and to reject electoral malpractice.
They also pledged continued support for ongoing and forthcoming local council and women’s council elections.
The caucus reaffirmed its commitment to monthly financial contributions agreed by the NRM Central Executive Committee. MPs are expected to contribute Shs250,000 each month, comprising Shs150,000 to the NRM and Shs100,000 to the parliamentary caucus, beginning June 2026.
The caucus also welcomed independent MPs who support the NRM into its ranks.
On PDM, MPs resolved to continue supporting the programme, increase its uptake and visibility and strengthen follow-up on allegations of diversion, theft and corruption.
They further resolved to study the issue of school fees in public schools and make proposals on how government could address the challenge.
The legislators also pledged support for value addition, internal markets and regional integration.
The final resolution was to support Ambassador Olara Otunnu’s candidature for Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Aceng praises caucus
Dr Aceng thanked members of the caucus for what she described as their commitment, discipline and patriotism since the beginning of the 12th Parliament.
She also commended NRM and independent MPs aligned with the caucus for supporting two Bills returned to Parliament by President Museveni for reconsideration — the Tax Amendment Bill and the Excise Duty Bill.
“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,” she told President Museveni.
Dr Aceng also thanked MPs for supporting a motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to the Gaza Strip for a peacekeeping mission.
She said the decision demonstrated that Parliament could place national interests above partisan considerations when making major decisions.
“I also wish to thank members for supporting the motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces to the Gaza Strip for a peacekeeping mission at yesterday’s sitting,” she said.
She said Uganda remained proud of the contribution of its armed forces to regional and international peace and security.