President Museveni Orders Fresh Crackdown on Corruption, Absenteeism and Drug Shortages in Public Health Facilities

KAMPALA, Uganda — 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.

Addressing members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Museveni said concerns raised by citizens during his recent countrywide campaigns required urgent government action.

The President, who is also NRM National Chairman, identified health service delivery, corruption, the Parish Development Model (PDM), crime, local government staffing, cancer and other non-communicable diseases among the issues demanding immediate attention.

“I wanted to use this opportunity to tell you what I’m picking on the ground,” Museveni told MPs, recalling the old newspaper Gambuuze, whose name roughly translates to “ask me about the news.”

Museveni questions missing medicines Museveni singled out medicine shortages in public health facilities, questioning whether the problem was caused by inadequate supplies or theft. “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?” he asked.

The President said the matter would be discussed by Cabinet and promised to personally follow up on reports that patients were being sent to private drug shops and pharmacies to purchase medicines. “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, including doctors expected to serve in government facilities. Museveni said Uganda has qualified young medical professionals who could be recruited to fill positions occupied by workers who allegedly fail to report for duty. “We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” he warned.

The President said improving health services was essential to national productivity because illness affects not only families but also the economy. “The last time I was sick with malaria was in the bush. Sickness is lost contribution time,” he said. President raises alarm over cancer and diabetes.

Museveni also expressed concern about the growing burden of cancer and diabetes in Uganda, calling for stronger investigation into their causes and greater emphasis on prevention. He noted that Uganda had made progress in controlling several infectious diseases, including Guinea worm, measles and polio, but said non-communicable diseases were becoming an increasingly serious challenge.

The President 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. Museveni recalled his previous concerns about possible links between fungal contamination and liver cancer and said he had earlier taken measures regarding shelled groundnuts. “I’m going to make proposals to the Cabinet because cancers and diabetes are becoming too much,” he said. Museveni targets corruption and PDM misuse.

On corruption, Museveni urged MPs to become more vocal in exposing wrongdoing and praised officials whom he said were taking action against corruption at the local level. He specifically cited Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara and his junior, Justine Nameere. “I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” he said.

Museveni linked some public resentment at the local level to alleged theft and diversion 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. He urged newly elected MPs to use their positions to listen to citizens, expose corruption and provide leadership in their constituencies. “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,” Museveni told the legislators.

He warned MPs against remaining silent when corruption occurs. “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 directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Minister Balaam Barugahara to investigate 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 his campaign visit to Maracha had effectively turned into a discussion about PDM. “In Maracha, when I went to campaign, the rally turned into a PDM meeting,” he said. The President, however, praised Kasese District, saying he had received reports that PDM was performing well there. “Where I heard PDM was doing well was in Kasese,” he said.

Museveni described PDM as a potentially transformative programme for households if properly implemented. “PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told MPs. President warns against selling government jobs.

Museveni also raised concern 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 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,” 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 criticises focus on new districts.

The President also criticised what he described as excessive political focus on creating new districts, cities and leadership positions at the expense of programmes intended to increase household incomes. He urged leaders to concentrate on strategic development priorities, particularly irrigation, which he described as a “lifesaver” in the fight against 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,” Museveni said.

He cited a proposal to divide Ntungamo District into three districts, saying, according to his account, that the push was partly motivated by 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 urged MPs to focus on what he described as Uganda's core development priorities, including defence and security, roads, railway infrastructure, schools and irrigation.

He also called on local government leaders and MPs to work closely with security agencies to combat crime and prevent criminality from undermining development.

NRM caucus adopts 11 resolutions Following Museveni'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 defence, security, railways, roads, irrigation, health and education. It also reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption across government and supporting efforts aimed at Uganda's socio-economic transformation.

On elections, the caucus resolved to promote discipline and integrity in electoral processes, both within the party and nationally, while rejecting electoral malpractice. The legislators also pledged continued support for ongoing and forthcoming local council and women's council elections. The caucus reaffirmed its commitment to financial contributions agreed upon by the Central Executive Committee. Under the arrangement, MPs are expected to contribute Shs250,000 monthly, comprising Shs150,000 to the NRM and Shs100,000 to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, beginning in June 2026.

The caucus also agreed to welcome independent MPs who support the NRM into its ranks.

On PDM, legislators resolved to continue supporting the programme, increase its uptake and visibility, and strengthen follow-up on allegations involving diversion, theft and corruption.

They further resolved to study the issue of school fees in public schools and make proposals on how the government can address the challenge. Other resolutions covered 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 thanks MPs for supporting government business

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 two Bills returned to Parliament by President Museveni for reconsideration: the Tax Amendment Bill and the Excise Duty Bill.

Aceng said the caucus had demonstrated its commitment to advancing government business and protecting national interests. She 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 legislators could put national interests above partisan considerations when confronted with major national and international issues. “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. Aceng said Uganda remained proud of the contribution of its armed forces to regional and international peace and security.