Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has asked potential investors to report to their home governments and his office any Ugandan official who solicits a bribe.

In a strongly worded warning to crafty government officials dated January, 23, Museveni said any information submitted to his office with evidence would result into "swift and decisive action".

He commended Britain for arresting a Ugandan official, Ananias Tumukunde, who got a bribe from a British company.

Tumukunde, a former presidential adviser on science and technology, was in April last year arrested at Heathrow airport over a $160,000 (about sh296m) bribe he solicited from CBRN Team Ltd.

The bribe was for signing a $420,000 deal with Uganda to supply equipment to the Presidential Guard Brigade ahead of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala.

The British High Commission handed over the money that was recovered from Tumukunde to the Inspector General of Government, Faith Mwondha.

"This is what should be done in all cases. I appeal to potential investors to inform both your home governments and my office in case of any approach by these corrupt leaders and officials for any favours," he said.

Museveni described the practice as "a pestilence that can easily be stopped" with the investors' prompt co-operation.

It is most flabbergasting and unacceptable, he said, for leaders to solicit bribes, adding that such leaders had no value to their society.

He said Uganda occasionally got donations for political parties or campaigns before issues of political funding were sorted out, but this had to be in conformity with the law and only handled by designated offices.

"It was never for individuals to go around soliciting for money even for political causes," he stressed.

This contemptible behaviour, he added, was not only for the officials' selfish interests but was also detrimental to Uganda as it discourages foreigners to invest here since the bribe raises their business costs.

The 2008 IGG National Integrity Survey report said the Police and Judiciary were the most corrupt government institutions.