Masindi — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged the Police to stop corruption.

"Arrest those who steal Government money and take bribes," he said. "If you stop corruption, the economy will grow faster."

Museveni also urged the Force to fight crime which is making the economy expensive as "people build walls around their homes to deter thieves".

Museveni made the remarks yesterday while passing out Police cadets at the Masindi Police Training School. The 465 cadets are fresh university graduates of engineering, computer science, statistics, accountancy, law and education. Among them were Sudanese and Somalis.

Museveni's challenge to the Police comes on the heels of an integrity survey which rated the force the most corrupt institution.

In his lecture, the President interacted with the cadets and invited questions. Asked if the oil discovery in western Uganda posed security challenges, the President replied: "None."

"I hear that nonsense from Europeans because they think all Africans are stupid," Museveni said.

"We stood here without resources, even without petroleum. We defeated enemies without oil, we shall defeat them now with oil."

"If someone tries to come and take over Uganda to exploit our petroleum, he will end up six feet under (dead)."

Museveni said the oil money would be invested carefully. "The petroleum will not be used to import luxuries like lipstick," he explained. "My daughters who want lipstick should use tomatoes."

The President listed some of the bottlenecks impeding Africa's growth as a small population and market, and balkanisation.

He also commissioned a dormitory and an administration block.