The President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has said that he will not tolerate corrupt government officials who have undermined the NRM ideology of pan-Africanism and patriotism to swindle public money.

Museveni said he has evidence of those who have been involved in the act of corruption, and he will soon take action against the corrupt individuals in Uganda.

“Political leaders that steal government money are corrupt, and we shall crush them soon,” Museveni said.

While addressing the nation at Kololo Independence grounds on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the president also warned some Ugandan politicians who get bribes from foreigners to promote their negative interests in Uganda.

According to Museveni, such political leaders are both corrupt and traitors who deserve to face the law as required.

“There are other actors that get bribes from foreigners to work for foreign interests.These are both corrupt and traitorous. We are monitoring their activities. If they do not stop, with evidence, we shall deal with them,” Museveni added.

President Museveni also categorised the high interest rates charged by commercial banks and money lenders on loans as corruption, revealing that he has tasked the Ministry of Finance to detail the interest rates charged by money lenders.

“Why should commercial banks charge 20% interest? The money lenders charge 36% or more. This is pure extortion,” he added.

He said that, as part of fighting corruption, it is crucial to eliminate political actors who come into politics without knowing that leading people does not mean swindling public money.

Museveni said that he will also crush the corrupt politicians who swindle money through fundraising, which is mainly done by opportunistic politicians. He said that he has yet to meet with different stakeholders to resolve such diversions.