Balopi delves into UDC ‘doubtful’ governance
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday July 6, 2026 06:00
Speaking during a press conference held at Tsholetsa House in Gaborone on Tuesday, Balopi said the UDC government has failed to meet the expectations of Batswana since assuming office following the 2024 General Election. He stated that instead of witnessing improvements in public services, citizens are increasingly becoming frustrated by challenges affecting critical sectors such as health and agriculture.
According to Balopi, the country is facing governance challenges that required decisive leadership, transparency and accountability. He contended that the new government has not adequately responded to concerns repeatedly raised by members of the public, particularly regarding access to healthcare and the welfare of livestock farmers.
'The expectations of Batswana were very high when this government came into office. Unfortunately, what we continue to witness is a decline in service delivery and a lack of urgency in addressing issues that directly affect the lives of ordinary citizens,' Balopi said. One of the issues that dominated the BDP leader's address was the continued shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals and clinics. Balopi said the problem had persisted despite repeated assurances from the government that the situation would soon improve. He argued that many patients continue to visit public health facilities only to be told that prescribed medication is unavailable, forcing some to purchase medicines from private pharmacies while others simply go without treatment because they cannot afford the additional cost.
Furthermore, he said the shortages have placed healthcare professionals under enormous pressure as they struggle to provide quality services without adequate medical supplies. According to Balopi, healthcare workers should not be expected to perform effectively when hospitals and clinics regularly experience shortages of basic medicines and other essential medical supplies.
He therefore called on the government to urgently restore a reliable medicine supply chain and ensure that public health facilities are adequately stocked. 'Healthcare is one of the most important services any government can provide. Patients should not have to worry about whether they will find medication when they visit a public hospital. Government must urgently resolve this problem,' he said.
Moreover, Balopi argued that improving the healthcare system should remain one of government's highest priorities because access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right. Turning to the agricultural sector, Balopi criticised the government's management of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. He said delays in responding to the disease have negatively affected cattle farmers and threaten Botswana's livestock industry. He said livestock farming remains a major source of income for thousands of households across the country, making it essential for government to respond quickly whenever disease outbreaks occur.
According to Balopi, delays in implementing effective control measures have increased uncertainty among farmers, many of whom depend on cattle sales for their livelihoods. Consequently, he urged the UDC government to strengthen disease surveillance, enforce movement controls where necessary and speed up interventions aimed at containing the outbreak. He also called on government to provide adequate assistance to affected farmers, arguing that prolonged restrictions have financial implications for farming communities. Furthermore, Balopi warned that failure to effectively control the disease could negatively affect Botswana's beef export industry, which remains an important contributor to the national economy. He said protecting export markets should remain a priority because Botswana has spent decades building its reputation as a reliable exporter of high-quality beef. 'A slow response to disease outbreaks threatens not only farmers but also the country's economy. Government must move swiftly to contain the situation and restore confidence within the livestock sector,' he said.
Meanwhile, Balopi broadened his criticism to include what he described as the government's overall approach to governance. He accused the UDC administration of failing to demonstrate decisive leadership and argued that many promises made during the election campaign remain unfulfilled. The BDP president said many citizens expected significant reforms after the change of government but have instead experienced growing dissatisfaction over the pace of implementation.
He argued that effective leadership should be measured by the ability to solve problems facing ordinary people rather than by political rhetoric. Additionally, Balopi said public confidence in government institutions can only be restored through transparency, accountability and improved service delivery. Balopi advised that government leaders should be willing to listen to citizens' concerns and respond promptly whenever challenges arise. Responding to questions from journalists, Balopi said the BDP will continue to play its constitutional role as the official opposition by holding the government accountable. He explained that the party's responsibility goes beyond criticising government, adding that it will continue proposing policy alternatives that it believes can improve the lives of Batswana. 'We are not opposing for the sake of opposing. Our responsibility is to provide constructive criticism and offer practical solutions whenever government falls short,' he said. Furthermore, Balopi reaffirmed the BDP's commitment to constructive engagement on national issues, saying the party remains prepared to contribute positively to the country’s development.
He said the opposition has an important responsibility to scrutinise government decisions while ensuring that the interests of citizens remain protected. Balopi also used the press conference to address allegations of corruption that have frequently been levelled against the former ruling party. He, however, rejected suggestions that corruption is synonymous with the BDP, arguing that no political organisation should be judged solely on the actions of a few individuals. Instead, he maintained that the party does not tolerate corruption and fully supports legal action against anyone found guilty of wrongdoing. According to Balopi, all individuals implicated in corruption should be investigated fairly and prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists, irrespective of their political affiliation or social status. He stressed that the fight against corruption must remain impartial and should never be influenced by political considerations. 'The BDP does not condone corruption. Those who break the law must face the consequences. However, corruption should not be used as a label to define an entire political party,' he said.
Moreover, Balopi called for stronger institutions capable of investigating corruption independently and professionally. He argued that strengthening oversight institutions would improve public confidence and reinforce Botswana's democratic governance. Also, Balopi urged Batswana to remain actively involved in national affairs and continue participating in democratic processes. He said citizens have an important role to play in ensuring that elected leaders remain accountable throughout their term of office. He further reaffirmed the BDP's commitment to democratic governance, constitutionalism and the rule of law, saying the party would continue engaging communities across the country as it seeks to rebuild public confidence following its defeat in the 2024 general election.
Meanwhile, Balopi maintained that Botswana's democracy is strengthened when citizens freely express their views and hold leaders accountable regardless of political affiliation. His remarks come at a time when the UDC government continues to face criticism from some sections of society over service delivery, particularly concerning medicine shortages and challenges affecting the livestock sector.
However, the government has previously maintained that it inherited longstanding structural problems and has been implementing reforms to improve procurement systems, strengthen healthcare services and respond to animal disease outbreaks.Nevertheless, Balopi insisted that more decisive leadership is required if the country is to overcome its current challenges. Balopi said the BDP will continue engaging Batswana on issues affecting their daily lives while positioning itself as a credible alternative government. As political debate over the performance of the UDC administration intensifies, Balopi's latest remarks signal that the BDP intends to remain vocal on governance, service delivery and accountability.