Lydia Wanyoto, the Member of Parliament–elect for Mbale City, has urged President Museveni not to appoint corrupt individuals into the next cabinet, warning that retaining tainted officials would undermine public confidence and confirm fears of “business as usual” in government.
Wanyoto said the President’s pledge to fight corruption must be reflected in the composition of the next government.
“We know people who are corrupt, and we don’t want to see them in the next government.If they come back, that will be most unfortunate, and that’s when people’s expectations will collapse,”she said.
Her remarks come as the President has repeatedly pledged to prioritise the fight against corruption and deliver what he has described as a qualitative leap in social and economic transformation, with a focus on household incomes and poverty reduction.
Wanyoto said the formation of the next cabinet would be an early test of the President’s commitment to those promises.
“It starts with the formation of government,” she said while appearing on a local radio station.
She added that Uganda is not short of capable and patriotic individuals who can translate campaign pledges into tangible results.
Reflecting on the NRM’s 40 years in power, Wanyoto said assessments of the ruling party’s record often differ because public expectations sometimes exceed realities on the ground.
She acknowledged that the NRM administration restored stability and security after 1986, which she said laid the foundation for development.
“Before 1986, there was no stability. People could not even be sure they would sleep safely without gunshots,” she said, noting that security enabled progress in areas such as education, livelihoods and income generation.
However, Wanyoto stressed that stability alone is no longer sufficient, arguing that Ugandans now expect improved service delivery, wealth creation and accountability.
She pointed to the need to strengthen the private sector, particularly in agriculture, as a sustainable path to job creation and economic growth, noting that the civil service cannot absorb the growing labour force.
“The private sector is the way to go,” Wanyoto said, adding that agriculture remains Uganda’s strongest leverage for boosting exports and improving the country’s balance of trade.
Wanyoto also highlighted infrastructure failures in Mbale City as examples of how corruption and poor workmanship continue to hurt communities.
She cited washed-away bridges and damaged culverts following heavy rains, questioning the quality of public works in urban areas.
“How can a culvert be washed away?” she asked, suggesting that the problem points to counterfeit materials, lack of supervision and weak accountability.
She linked such failures to a lack of patriotism among some public officials, saying love for country should be demonstrated through honest service rather than rhetoric.
Wanyoto, who secured a strong mandate in the recent elections, said the overwhelming support places a heavy responsibility on leaders at all levels to deliver.
“I am jittery because of this mandate,” she said. “I must deliver.”
She said Parliament will be expected to play its oversight role by holding the executive to account, particularly during budgeting and implementation of government programmes.
As Uganda prepares for the formation of a new government, Wanyoto said citizens will be watching closely to see whether the President’s anti-corruption pledge translates into concrete action.
“People are right to expect more,” she said. “But it must be seen in reality, not just on paper.”
