By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI - In a scathing critique of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu, Soroti City West Member of Parliament, has declared the current NRM administration the worst term ever since the people of Uganda began voting. His criticism follows the midterm review conducted by the NRM, which indicated that the party had only achieved a mere 20% of its objectives after three years in power.

According to Ebwalu duringa press conference held in Soroti City, the government's failure is evident across the country, not just in the Teso region. He highlighted that Uganda’s current budget is primarily focused on servicing the nation’s debt burden, leaving little room for essential services such as infrastructure and healthcare.

"We have pathetic roads. We have impassable roads," Ebwalu lamented, pointing to the crumbling state of the country's infrastructure. "Look at our hospitals. We have hospitals that are there by name. When you go to hospitals, we don't have drugs. We have poorly remunerated doctors, poorly paid nurses, and workers without morale."

In Soroti, the regional referral hospital faces severe challenges. Ebwalu noted that drugs are depleted almost immediately after they arrive, forcing patients to buy their own medication while healthcare professionals struggle to provide care under strained conditions. The MP attributed this crisis to poor planning by the central government.

Ebwalu did not mince words when addressing President Yoweri Museveni's leadership. He accused Museveni of being a "loner" who fails to consult with or listen to his ministers. Despite having over 138 advisors, Ebwalu claims the president ignores their input, rendering the NRM administration ineffective and unresponsive to the country's needs.

"Communication in this government is one-way—from the president down to the ministers. The president tells them what to do, and that's it," Ebwalu remarked. "Ministers cannot take any decisions without knowing Museveni's stance."

In the Teso region, unfulfilled promises by the NRM government have further fueled discontent. Ebwalu expressed frustration over several unkept commitments, including the long-promised cattle compensation and 100 scholarships for Teso students at Soroti University. The region's key infrastructure projects, like the Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Soroti road, also remain unimplemented despite appearing in ministerial policy statements for years.

Ebwalu challenged any NRM leaders to point out a single project in the region that has been completed in the last three years. "They promised money for building Soroti City Council—nothing. Even the funds President Museveni promised to the Church of Uganda and the Catholic Church haven't materialized," he added.

Reflecting on his own performance as MP, Ebwalu acknowledged that while he made no grand promises during his election campaign, he has already facilitated the establishment of a school and made tangible improvements in Soroti City. In contrast, he claims the NRM’s failures stem from an aging president and a system that no longer functions effectively. "The active Museveni stopped being active in the year 2000," Ebwalu said, "and now his leadership is marked by indecision and inaction."

Ebwalu made a strong appeal to the people to reject the NRM in future elections. He argues that the government has become unresponsive to the needs of its citizens and is now driven by personal gain rather than national interest. "If the NRM does not fulfill its promises, why should we continue voting for them?" Ebwalu asked, calling for change and urging his constituents to demand more from their leaders.