KAMPALA, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern ultimatum to his incoming Cabinet, warning that any minister who fails to effectively implement government wealth creation programmes will be summarily dismissed.
Speaking Monday during the First Sitting of the 12th Parliament at Kololo Independence Grounds, where he addressed newly sworn-in legislators and the new parliamentary leadership, Museveni declared that his patience with underperforming and self-serving leaders had “completely run out,” setting an uncompromising tone for what he recently branded as his “Term No Sleep.”
The President expressed frustration that despite billions of shillings invested in poverty eradication initiatives, many Ugandans remain trapped in economic hardship. “I don’t want to hear that there is poverty in the homestead that has not accessed this money if they have the land,” Museveni warned.
“I demand this. And anybody who is a minister, if I come to your area and I find that you have not done it, I will sack you,” he added.
The President squarely blamed the persistent poverty levels on leaders who seek political titles but fail to serve the people under their leadership.
“All these years, we have been introducing programmes for poor people. Now I’m in a position to really be very rough with people who want leadership positions but don’t care about the people they lead,” Museveni said.
“In the past, I’ve been polite. I talked like a preacher, like John the Baptist. But now, as President of Uganda and Chairman of the NRM, I will be very, very, very rough with people who want titles but don’t want to help or who betray the people they lead.”
Central to Museveni’s warning was the Parish Development Model (PDM), government’s flagship poverty alleviation programme targeting grassroots transformation.
The President revealed that government intends to increase annual allocations under PDM from Shs100 million to Shs200 million per parish, saying the capital required to transform communities is already available.
“I am now in a very bad mood because in the past, my case was not so strong because people would ask, ‘How do we start?’ But now the capital is there. Shs800 million is already in each parish. Use it,” Museveni told Parliament.
The President’s fiery remarks come amid heightened political tension surrounding ongoing anti-corruption investigations within Parliament, particularly involving former Speaker Anita Annet Among.
Ms Among, who assumed office in 2022, is reportedly under investigation over allegations of illicit wealth accumulation and abuse of office following mounting public scrutiny regarding parliamentary expenditure and corruption claims.
The probe intensified earlier this month after security operatives reportedly conducted coordinated searches at her residences in Nakasero, Kigo and Bukedea, as well as her parliamentary office, where several items were seized as potential exhibits.
During her tenure, Among faced criticism over her lavish lifestyle, including luxury vehicles, designer clothing and rapid real estate expansion, at a time when Parliament was increasingly accused of excessive spending and financial mismanagement.
Public anger peaked during the 2023 “#ParliamentExhibition” campaign organised by civic activists exposing alleged dubious procurement deals, inflated per diems and misuse of taxpayer funds within Parliament.
The fallout from the anti-corruption crackdown has now ushered in new parliamentary leadership under Speaker Jacob Oboth Oboth and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, both members of the ruling National Resistance Movement.
The two leaders now face mounting pressure to restore public confidence in Parliament amid growing perceptions of institutionalised greed and weak accountability.
While presiding over the leadership transition, Museveni warned against diversion of public resources and misuse of government programmes meant to uplift vulnerable communities.
However, political observers remain skeptical about whether the President will fully act on his threats, citing past scandals such as the Karamoja iron sheets saga, where implicated ministers retained their Cabinet positions despite public outrage and promises of decisive action.
Museveni ended his speech at Kololo with a caution to legislators against ignoring public health risks linked to Ebola.
The President criticised MPs for hugging and shaking hands after the parliamentary elections, saying Uganda must remain vigilant following reports of new Ebola cases in the region.
“Do you know there is Ebola? Why do you hug? Is there danger? Please set an example,” Museveni cautioned. “Stop this shaking of hands and all this.”
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