NRM PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS: PRESIDENT M7 ORDERS CRACKDOWN ON HEALTH-SECTOR ABSENTEEISM, PDM CORRUPTION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered a fresh crackdown on corruption, absenteeism, and drug shortages in public health facilities, warning that government workers who fail to serve citizens will 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, President Museveni, who is also the National Chairman of the ruling party, said he had picked several concerns from the electorate during his recent countrywide campaigns that require immediate government attention.

The President singled out the health sector, corruption, the Parish Development Model (PDM), crime, local government staffing, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases among the issues that must be addressed by the government and legislators.

“I wanted to use this opportunity to tell you what I’m picking on the ground,” President Museveni told the legislators, recalling the old newspaper Gambuuze, whose name roughly translates to “ask me about the news.”He said health service delivery had emerged as a major concern during his interactions with citizens, particularly the shortage of medicines at public health facilities and reports of patients being directed to private drug shops and pharmacies to buy 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?” President Museveni asked.

He said the matter would be discussed by Cabinet, promising 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.The President also raised concern over absenteeism among health workers, particularly doctors who are expected to be serving in government facilities but are allegedly absent from their stations.

He said the government had enough qualified young medical professionals who could be recruited to fill positions occupied by workers who do not report for duty.According to President Museveni, the government should not continue retaining health workers who are unwilling to perform their duties when qualified young professionals remain unemployed.

“We shall reach a point and chase away those who don’t want to work and replace them with young ones,” he said.The President said improving health service delivery was critical because illness not only affects individual families but also reduces productivity.“The last time I was sick with malaria was in the bush. Sickness is lost contribution time,” he said.

The President also expressed concern over the increasing burden of cancer and diabetes in Uganda, saying the government needed to investigate the causes and strengthen preventive measures.

He noted that infectious diseases such as Guinea worm, measles, and polio had been significantly controlled but said non-communicable diseases were increasingly becoming a major 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.President Museveni recalled his earlier concerns about the relationship between fungal contamination and liver cancer and said he had previously taken measures concerning shelled groundnuts.“I’m going to make proposals to the Cabinet because cancers and diabetes are becoming too much,” he said.

On corruption, the NRM National Chairman commended some officials of the government 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 for their efforts in fighting corruption.“I’m glad some members are doing some work — like Balaam Barugahara and Nameere,” President Museveni said.

He linked some of the resentment among citizens at the local level 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.

President Museveni told MPs that their newly acquired political positions gave them an opportunity to listen to citizens and expose corruption in their constituencies. He urged legislators 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.President Museveni warned that keeping quiet about corruption would not help either the government or 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,” he said.

The President also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to instruct Minister Balaam Barugahara to investigate allegations of theft and corruption involving PDM funds in a number of districts.

President Museveni cited Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga, and Buwambo among the areas where he said allegations of PDM fund theft or misuse had been raised.He recalled that during his campaign visit to Maracha, a political rally 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, 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,” President Museveni said.He described PDM as a potentially transformative program for households if properly implemented.“PDM is a game changer for your people,” he told the MPs.

The President urged legislators and local leaders to monitor the program, expose diversion, and ensure that beneficiaries receive the intended support.The President 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 given 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,” President Museveni said, urging MPs to monitor recruitment processes and ensure that government employment is based on merit rather than the ability to pay.

The President also criticised what he described as excessive focus on the creation of new districts, cities, and political positions at the expense of programs designed to increase household incomes.He said the 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,” President Museveni said.

He cited a proposal to divide Ntungamo District into three districts, saying the motivation, according to his account, was partly linked to the desire of individuals 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.President Museveni told MPs to focus on what he described as the country's core development priorities, including defense and security, roads, railway infrastructure, schools, and irrigation.

The President further called on local government leaders and Members of Parliament to work closely with security agencies to combat crime in their respective areas. He said criminality should not be allowed to undermine development and called for cooperation between political leaders and security institutions.

NRM caucus adopts 11 resolutions:Following the President's address, the NRM Parliamentary Caucus adopted 11 resolutions outlining its commitment to supporting government programs 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 programs in priority areas, including defense, security, railways, roads, irrigation, health, and education.It also resolved to continue 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 party and nationally, and to desist from all forms of electoral malpractice. The legislators also pledged continued support for the ongoing and forthcoming local council and women's council elections.

The caucus further reaffirmed its commitment to the financial contributions agreed upon by the Central Executive Committee.Under the resolution, 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, the legislators resolved to continue supporting the program, enhance its uptake and visibility, and strengthen follow-up in cases involving diversion, theft and corruption.The legislators also resolved to study the issue of school fees in public schools and make proposals on how the government can address the challenge.

They further pledged to support value addition, internal markets, and regional integration.The final resolution was 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.

Dr. Aceng also thanked NRM legislators and independent MPs aligned with the caucus for supporting two Bills that President Museveni had returned to Parliament for reconsideration. These were 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 commended 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 MPs could put national interests above partisan considerations when called upon to make critical decisions.“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.

Dr. Aceng said Uganda remained proud of the contribution of its armed forces to regional and international peace and security.