Museveni Blames Scarcity of Drugs in Public Health Facilities on Corruption

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President
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni waves at some of the NRM party officials. Courtesy photo

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has attributed the current scarcity of drugs in public health facilities to corruption.

President Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, while campaigning for Janet Adong Elau, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidate in the Dokolo by-election for Woman Parliamentary Representative, during a rally held at Atabu Primary School, Amwoma Sub County in Dokolo district.

“People are talking about the problem of the scarcity of drugs in the health centers. This is because of the corruption of your own people,” President Museveni said.

The President asked Ugandans to embrace household income in a bid to enhance wealth creation through commercial agriculture being promoted by the government.

He urged residents to ensure effective participation in the Parish Development Model programme, where the government has allocated the sum of one million shillings per parish every financial year.

“When looking for a party to support, look for a party with evidence of capacity. NRM has the capacity to perform. The NRM emerged as a force to address people’s needs, including food, housing, poverty, peace, and education. For example, in Dokolo, there are now 10 government schools, whereas at the time of independence in 1960, there were none in Lango,” President Museveni said.

According to the President, the NRM government has remained committed to eradicating poverty among Ugandans through various programmes.

“A tarmac road isn’t a permanent solution to poverty in the region. It’s like saying you can have good roads even when there is poverty,” Museveni said.

President Museveni directed the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Grace Kwiyacuny, to summon the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to ascertain the reasons why most residents in Dokolo district have not been massively connected to the national grid despite having surplus power in Uganda.

He said that this should be done in close engagement with the Dokolo Resident District Commissioner (RDC), who will later explain the delays to local residents.

Regarding the delay in delivering a bus to Dokolo Technical School, which he once pledged some years ago, President Museveni blamed it on the inefficiency of some of the staff in his offices to remind him.

Six candidates, including Dr. Rosemary Alwoch (FDC), also the daughter of late MP Cecilia Atim Ogwal, Harriet Ageno of NUP, Rebecca Arao (Independent), Sarah Aguti (UPC), and Dr. Akullo Obot, are contesting for the upcoming parliamentary by-election.