President Yoweri Museveni has challenged NRM Members of Parliament to step up the fight against corruption, telling lawmakers that poor service delivery will persist unless they aggressively confront officials sabotaging government programs.
Speaking during a meeting of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo on August 7, the President highlighted persistent challenges affecting the health sector and local government, including theft of medicines, absentee health workers, diversion of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and the illegal sale of government jobs.
Museveni stressed that legislators must move beyond passing laws and actively monitor the implementation of government programs in their constituencies to ensure public resources reach the intended beneficiaries. He said stronger oversight by MPs is essential if Ugandans are to experience the full impact of government investments.
The President also commended State Ministers Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere for their grassroots campaign against corruption, praising their surprise inspections in several districts that reportedly exposed malpractice and led to arrests in areas including Isingiro and Masaka.
Museveni said the ministers' hands-on approach demonstrates the kind of leadership needed to eliminate corruption at the local level and encouraged MPs to emulate their determination in holding public officials accountable.
The remarks reinforce the government's renewed emphasis on tackling corruption, particularly in sectors directly affecting livelihoods such as healthcare and poverty alleviation programs. Recent government messaging has repeatedly emphasized that corruption threatens Uganda's development agenda and weakens public confidence in service delivery.
The President concluded by urging NRM legislators to remain vigilant, insisting that government programs can only achieve their intended impact if public funds are protected and officials entrusted with delivering services are held accountable.