KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Anti-Corruption Court Chief in Kololo has denied bail to Karamoja Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu over unsubstantial sureties.
Dr Kitutu alongside her brother Michael Naboya Wednesday appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo for a hearing on their second attempt to be granted temporary freedom as state prosecution finalised details in their charges of swindling iron sheets meant for the vulnerable in Karamoja.
However, Court Chief Magistrate Ms Joan Aciro while presiding over the hearing on Wednesday ruled out the minister’s bail application citing that only one out of the four sureties; MP Seth Wambede (Mbale North) provided documents of his workplace and his source of income is known, and his earnings too.
Minister Kitutu’s lawyers led by Micheal Wamasebu, a former deputy Director of Public Prosecution; John Musiime, and Jude Byamukama,had cited ill health, advanced age (61) and a permanent residence in Bunga, Kampala as grounds for the bail application.
The case has been adjourned to Friday (April 14), when the said sureties are expected to present their credentials for court to determine whether to grant the minister bail or not.
Dr Kitutu was last week remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of causing loss of public property, corruption, and conspiracy to defraud the government.
According to state prosecution, Dr Kitutu is accused of allegedly diverting iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people in Karamoja to her own benefit and to the benefit of third parties, having reason to believe that such an act would result in the loss of public property.
Under the charge of conspiracy to defraud, the DPP contends that the minister and Mr Abaho, between June 2022 and January 2023, allegedly conspired to defraud beneficiaries under the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets.
Undercount five, Dr Kitutu’s brother is accused of receiving stolen property. The charge sheet says he received 100 pre-coated iron sheets from OPM, having reason to believe the same to have been feloniously obtained.
If convicted of the charges, Kitutu could spend at least 10 years in prison but the Minister has since denied the charges of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud the government.
President Museveni yesterday weighed in on the corruption scandal, saying government officials who diverted iron sheets meant for Karamoja and used them for personal benefit should be charged with theft.
“The second issue is those who took Mabaati for personal use. This is not just a political mistake, it is theft,” said Museveni in his letter to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on April 3, 2023.
Several government officials, especially Cabinet Ministers, took thousands of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable communities in Karamoja and shared them amongst themselves.
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