President Museveni orders crackdown on health sector absenteeism, PDM corruption

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for a renewed crackdown on absenteeism, corruption and drug shortages in Uganda’s public health sector, according to Watchdog Uganda. He made the remarks on Friday, August 7, 2026, while addressing the National Resistance Movement Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, where he said concerns raised by citizens during recent countrywide tours required urgent government action.

Museveni said public health facilities must stop sending patients to private drug shops and pharmacies, and he asked whether missing medicines were the result of shortages or theft. He also criticized health workers, especially doctors, whom he said were absent from duty, warning that the government could replace non-performing staff with younger, qualified professionals.

The president also linked local corruption to problems in the Parish Development Model, saying alleged diversion of funds by local leaders was fueling public anger. He directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to task Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara with investigating reported theft and misuse of PDM funds in several districts, including Pakwach, Maracha, Iganga and Buwambo. He praised Kasese District as an example of stronger PDM performance.

Beyond health and PDM, Museveni raised broader concerns about cancer, diabetes, local government recruitment and the push for new administrative units. The remarks highlight continuing pressure on service delivery and oversight in sectors central to household welfare and public trust, though the article presents them as the president’s views and instructions rather than as independently verified findings.