President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament against engaging in bribery, urging them to uphold integrity and lead the fight against corruption from the front lines of governance.

Speaking during during the ongoing retreat in Kyankwanzi on Monday, the President emphasized that both those who give and receive bribes are equally culpable and must be held accountable under the law.

Museveni revealed that concerns about corruption within Parliament have reached his attention, noting reports that some legislators have been compromised through bribery. He cautioned MPs to be “very, very careful” and to avoid any involvement in corrupt practices that undermine public trust and national development.

“The one who gives a bribe and the one who accepts it are all corrupt,” Museveni stated, reinforcing his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on graft.

The President further directed that his remarks on corruption be formally documented into a structured policy framework that will guide future legal action against corrupt individuals. He said the document would serve as a foundation for strengthening anti-corruption laws and enforcement mechanisms in the country.

Museveni also referenced past arrests linked to bribery, underscoring the government’s willingness to take action regardless of status or position.

Positioning Parliament as a critical institution in the anti-corruption fight, Museveni urged legislators to “clean Parliament” and set a moral example for the rest of the country.

The Kyankwanzi retreat, a key platform for political and ideological orientation for leaders within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), often serves as a venue for shaping policy direction and reinforcing discipline among party members.

The President’s remarks come amid ongoing public concern over corruption in public institutions, with calls for stronger accountability measures continuing to grow.