President 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.
Speaking to members of the NRM Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Museveni said his recent countrywide campaigns had given him a clearer picture of concerns raised by citizens.
He listed poor health service delivery, corruption, the Parish Development Model (PDM), crime, local government staffing, cancer and other non-communicable diseases among issues requiring urgent government attention.
On health, the president said he had received complaints about medicine shortages in public facilities, with some patients reportedly being directed to private drug shops and pharmacies to buy 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.
He said cabinet would discuss the matter and promised to personally follow up on reports concerning medicine shortages and possible theft.
Museveni also raised concern about absenteeism among health workers, particularly doctors who are expected to work in government facilities.
He said Uganda had qualified young medical professionals who could fill positions if some existing workers continued to 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 said.
He linked poor health to lost productivity, saying illness affects not only individual families but also the wider economy.
The president also expressed concern about the rising burden of cancer and diabetes. He said Uganda needed to investigate possible causes and strengthen prevention.
He said diseases such as Guinea worm, measles and polio had been significantly controlled, but non-communicable diseases were becoming a bigger challenge. He also said he regularly received requests from people seeking help to travel to India for cancer treatment.
On corruption, Museveni urged MPs to listen to complaints from their constituents and speak out against wrongdoing. He said allegations of misuse of PDM funds were contributing to public dissatisfaction in some areas.
He directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to ask Local Government minister Balaam Barugahara to investigate allegations concerning PDM funds in Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo.
Following his address, the caucus adopted 11 resolutions. The resolutions included support for government programmes in health, education, irrigation, roads, railways, defence and security, as well as renewed efforts against corruption.
The caucus also resolved to support discipline and integrity in elections, continue supporting local council and women’s council elections, and strengthen monitoring of PDM implementation.
The MPs agreed to contribute Shs 250,000 each month to the NRM and its caucus, beginning in June 2026.
The caucus also resolved to study the issue of school fees in public schools, support value addition, internal markets and regional integration, and back Olara Otunnu’s candidature for United Nations Secretary-General.
Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng thanked MPs for supporting the motion authorising the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to the Gaza Strip for a peacekeeping mission.
