KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered a fresh crackdown on corruption, absenteeism and medicine shortages in public health facilities, warning that government workers who fail to serve citizens could be replaced by younger professionals.
The President made the remarks on Friday, August 7, 2026, while 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 his recent countrywide engagements with voters had highlighted several concerns requiring urgent government attention, including health service delivery, corruption, the Parish Development Model (PDM), 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
The President singled out medicine shortages in public health facilities, saying he had received reports of patients being referred to private drug shops and pharmacies to purchase medicines.
“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 discussed by Cabinet and pledged 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.
He also raised concern about absenteeism among health workers, particularly doctors who are expected to serve in government facilities but allegedly fail to report to their duty stations.
The President said the government should consider replacing workers who do not perform their duties with qualified young professionals who are currently seeking employment.
“We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” he said.
President Museveni said improving health service delivery was essential because illness affects household welfare and reduces productivity.
Concern over cancer and diabetes
The President also expressed concern over the rising burden of cancer and diabetes, calling for investigations into the causes and stronger preventive measures.
He noted that Uganda had made progress in controlling infectious diseases such as Guinea worm, measles and polio, but said non-communicable diseases were becoming an increasing challenge.
President Museveni said he regularly 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 previous concerns about possible links between fungal contamination and liver cancer and said he would make proposals to Cabinet on measures to address cancer and diabetes.
“I’m going to make proposals to the Cabinet because cancers and diabetes are becoming too much,” he said.
Museveni calls for tougher action on corruption
On corruption, President Museveni urged MPs to become more outspoken in exposing wrongdoing in their constituencies.
He commended Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara and his junior, Justine Nameere, for what he described as efforts to fight corruption at the local level.
The President said some public resentment towards local leaders was linked to allegations of theft and diversion of PDM funds.
“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.
He urged MPs to use their positions to listen to citizens and expose corruption.
“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 further warned legislators against remaining silent when corruption occurs, saying outspoken leaders who fight corruption would gain public support.
He directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Mr Barugahara to investigate allegations of theft and misuse of PDM funds in several areas, including Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo.
The President said his campaign visit to Maracha had, at one point, turned into a discussion about PDM.
“In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said.
He, however, cited Kasese District as an area where he had received reports of positive performance under PDM.
“Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” he said.
President Museveni described PDM as a potentially transformative programme for households and urged MPs and local leaders to monitor its implementation and expose cases of diversion, theft and corruption.
Jobs should be awarded on merit
The President also raised concerns over alleged corruption in the recruitment of local government workers.
He said he had received reports that government jobs were allegedly being sold to applicants, citing information from 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 based on merit rather than an applicant’s ability to pay.
Museveni cautions against excessive creation of districts
President Museveni also criticised what he described as excessive emphasis on creating new districts, cities and political positions at the expense of programmes aimed at improving household incomes.
He urged leaders to focus on strategic development priorities, particularly irrigation, which he described as critical to addressing 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 of the motivation was linked to the creation of additional political positions.
The President urged MPs to concentrate on key national priorities, including defence and security, roads, railway infrastructure, education and irrigation.
He also called on political leaders to work closely with security agencies to combat crime and ensure that insecurity does not undermine development.
NRM Caucus adopts 11 resolutions
Following the President’s address, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus adopted 11 resolutions aimed at supporting government programmes, strengthening party discipline and promoting socio-economic transformation.
The resolutions were presented by the Government Chief Whip, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.
The caucus resolved to support strategic government programmes in defence, security, railway infrastructure, roads, irrigation, health and education.
The legislators also committed themselves to supporting the fight against corruption across government and to promoting discipline and integrity in electoral processes.
They pledged to support ongoing and forthcoming Local Council and Women’s Council elections while committing themselves to avoiding electoral malpractice.
The caucus also reaffirmed financial contributions agreed upon by the NRM Central Executive Committee. Under the arrangement, MPs are expected to contribute Shs250,000 each month, comprising Shs150,000 to the NRM Party and Shs100,000 to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, beginning June 2026.
The caucus further agreed to welcome independent MPs who support the NRM into its ranks.
On PDM, the legislators resolved to continue supporting the programme, increase its uptake and visibility, and strengthen monitoring of cases involving diversion, theft and corruption.
The caucus also resolved to study the challenge of school fees in public schools and make proposals on how government can address it.
Other resolutions included supporting value addition, internal markets and regional integration.
The final resolution was to support the candidature of Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
Aceng commends MPs
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 commended NRM legislators and independent MPs aligned with the caucus for supporting the Tax Amendment Bill and Excise Duty Bill after President Museveni returned the legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.
“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,” Dr Aceng said.
She also commended MPs for supporting a motion on the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for a peacekeeping mission in the Gaza Strip, saying the decision demonstrated Parliament’s commitment to national and international peace and security.
Dr Aceng said Uganda remained proud of the contribution of its armed forces to regional and international peace and security.