President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on voters in Mpigi District to take a tougher stand against corruption and poor service delivery by recalling leaders who fail to perform, saying citizens must actively protect public resources entrusted to their representatives.
Speaking at his second campaign rally in Mpigi on December 29, Museveni said concerns raised by residents along the way, particularly about medicine shortages in hospitals and Parish Development Model (PDM) funds not reaching beneficiaries, point to leadership failure rather than lack of government resources.
“On my way here, I met some of my bazzukulu who raised concerns about medicine shortages in hospitals and PDM money not reaching them,” Museveni said, noting that corruption has persisted for decades. “Corruption is not new; even during colonial times some abaami abused authority.”
The President explained that government deliberately devolved power to the people through elected leaders from LC1 to Parliament to strengthen accountability, but warned that this system only works if citizens demand results from those they elect.
“That is why we deliberately returned power to the people through elected leaders from LC1 up to Parliament,” Museveni said. “Government mobilises and allocates resources, but protecting them is the responsibility of all of us through accountable leadership.”
Museveni reminded voters that during the National Resistance Council (NRC) era, local leaders were directly answerable to the electorate, including through the right of recall. He said Uganda may need to revisit this mechanism to curb impunity among elected officials.
“Now I have a suggestion—what we call the right to recall. If a leader fails to deliver results, we recall him or her before the end of the term,” he said. “We may need to revisit the right of recall so wananchi can hold leaders accountable.”
He added that even before legal reforms are made, citizens should use existing channels to report absentee or ineffective leaders.
“You report them and see what I will do to them,” Museveni said.
The President also faulted voters for electing what he described as ideologically disoriented opposition politicians who later fail to deliver services, urging residents to make informed choices ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Beyond governance, Museveni addressed land issues, encouraging residents to rely on existing land laws to safeguard their tenure and pledging to fast-track compensation for landlords. He said the NRM government clearly defined the rights of tenants and landlords when it came to power.
On development, Museveni pledged to establish a Presidential industrial skilling hub in Greater Mpigi to equip youth with practical skills, alongside another hub in Greater Luwero. He also committed to setting up a district general hospital in Mpigi, establishing a ferry service for Buyiga Islanders, and constructing a public market for the district.
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, urged residents to turn the large rally turnout into votes on polling day and cautioned against opposition rhetoric that she said undermines service delivery.
NRM Second National Vice Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, highlighted key development achievements by the NRM government in Mpigi, while the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Central Region, Haruna Kasolo, accused opposition leaders of corruption that has stalled development.
Kasolo called on voters to support NRM flag bearers at all levels to ensure accountable leadership and improved service delivery in Mpigi District.
