Museveni warns he won’t tolerate corruption as he opens Uganda’s first phone assembly plant

President Museveni has warned government officials he will not tolerate corruption any more as this has delayed a number of development projects in the country.

Museveni made the remarks on Friday afternoon as he opened the first phone assembly plant at Namanve.

“We have no other problem apart from corruption by government servants. Corruption by civil servants is a big problem,”Museveni said.

He said that despite the country’s economy being small, it has grown by more than 20 times since 1986, adding that it will continue to grow.

The President said that despite this growth, there is still a big problem of corruption orchestrated by government officials and this he said has affected the growth.

A number of investors have in the past cried foul for being frustrated by government officials especially from the Uganda Investment Authority who ask them for bribes before being allocated land to carry out projects.

Early this year, Universal Granites and Marble Limited who are Indian investors accused officials from Uganda Investment Authority of trying to frustrate the granite cutting and polishing factory at the Namanve industrial park.

Museveni on Friday said that Ugandans should not be thanking government officials who do their job diligently saying it is what they are paid to do.

“We should not congratulate officials who what they are supposed to do. It is like congratulating someone for brushing their teeth, It is what they are supposed to do.”

He said a number of projects are delayed due to government officials who ask investors for bribes, a thing he said should end immediately.

“The game of corruption is over. “

Simi Mobile

The function at Namanve industrial park saw Museveni officiate the launch of Simi Mobile, the first locally assembled phone brand.

The phones are manufactured and assembled by ENGO, a Chinese electronics company that according to officials will also be involved in the assembly of laptops.

The President applauded China for being a good partner with Uganda and Africa at large, saying they have supported the continent’s development.

“I want to thank China for having a positive policy towards Africa and Uganda, unlike other people who have bad heats. Chinese are very serious partners who have contributed to a number of infrastructure projects in Uganda,” Museveni said.

“Even in providing internet, Chinese company, Huawei helped us with ground cables. They are now actively investing in factories, some into hotels. I am happy with Chinese solidarity with Uganda.”