Africa Insight
Cover - Hamis Kiggundu presenting to Yoweri Museveni

Politics - 9 August 2026

Museveni warns MPs on corruption, absenteeism in public service

By Amina Kabasele2 min read

Kampala, August 9, 2026 - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on NRM Members of Parliament to strengthen oversight of government programmes and take a leading role in fighting corruption and improving public service delivery. Museveni made the remarks during the 3rd NRM Parliamentary Caucus of the 12th Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where he urged legislators to remain focused on the needs of ordinary Ugandans and the party’s goal of socioeconomic transformation.

The President specifically warned MPs against corruption, urging them to expose practices that undermine government programmes and service delivery in their constituencies. He cited the alleged sale of jobs by District Service Commissions and reports of officials implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) demanding money or kickbacks from beneficiaries.

Museveni said PDM was established to help households move out of poverty and should not be turned into an avenue for officials to enrich themselves. The President also directed MPs to strengthen monitoring of government health facilities, particularly the attendance of medical personnel and the utilisation of medicines.

He warned that government is considering dismissing habitual absentee doctors from public health facilities and replacing them with medical personnel willing to consistently serve patients. Museveni said persistent absenteeism among some doctors has undermined service delivery in government hospitals, forcing the government to accelerate the deployment of intern doctors and improve their remuneration to address staffing gaps.

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