Museveni Urges Ugandan Leaders to Prioritize Citizen Needs, Combat Corruption
Masaka, Uganda – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met with leaders from the Greater Masaka region on Tuesday, urging them to focus on addressing the core challenges facing citizens and actively combatting corruption at the local level. The meeting, organized by newly elected Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament Justine Nameere, underscored the President’s emphasis on improving livelihoods and strengthening public trust.
Museveni criticized some leaders for prioritizing political debate over tangible solutions, stating, “It is unfortunate how some leaders waste time in Parliament talking instead of looking at the real issues and reaching the ordinary people.” He stressed the importance of exposing wrongdoing and demanding accountability from corrupt officials, warning that silence erodes public confidence and hinders effective service delivery. “Keeping quiet about thieves and corruption in your areas is unacceptable,” he said.
The President also encouraged NRM leaders to confidently promote the government’s achievements, rather than shying away from potential criticism. He emphasized the need to actively explain government programs and their positive impact on communities.
Addressing the issue of national unity, Museveni cautioned against sectarianism, describing it as a divisive force based on tribal and religious affiliations. He highlighted the importance of cooperation across communities, sharing a personal anecdote about how his own education was funded through cattle sales to traders from diverse backgrounds.
The meeting also focused on the government’s wealth creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). Museveni explained that the PDM aims to deliver support directly to households at the parish level, bypassing bureaucratic hurdles. He urged leaders to actively mobilize citizens to participate in these programs.
Newly elected MP Justine Nameere expressed gratitude for the President’s guidance and pledged to continue mobilizing leaders and communities in Masaka to support government initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and development.
The President commended Nameere for her courage, recalling her insistence on a recount during her recent election, which ultimately confirmed her victory.
