Karamoja Iron Sheets Bonanza: Minister Kitutu Returns In Court Today.

The minister of Karamoja Affairs as well as a woman member of parliament of Manafwa district, Hon. Mary Gorreti Kitutu is expected to re-appear in the anti-corruption court today 27th April 2023.  

Kitutu, was on the 14th of April 2023, granted a UGX 10 million cash bail and UGX 200 million non-cash bail for the sureties by the Anti-Corruption Court.

What you need to Know.

It should be noted that  Dr Kitutu was on the 8th April 2023, 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 last weighed in on the corruption scandal, said 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.