Karamoja Iron Sheets: Minister Lugoloobi Expected to Join Kitutu in Jail as DPP Processes File.

The state prosecutors have initiated the drafting of charges against State Minister for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi over the diversion of iron sheets intended for the Karamoja development program.

According to the sources, the charges being considered include theft, loss of public property, and conspiracy to defraud.

Lugoloobi recently admitted to receiving and using iron sheets to roof his animal shed in Kayunga District. This action is in violation of the intended purpose of the iron sheets, which were supposed to be used for the Karamoja development program. Some of the ministers who received iron sheets sent them to needy public schools and churches.

Sources say that Lugoloobi is likely to be the next person prosecuted after the Karamoja Affairs Minister, Goreti Kitutu.

Kitutu was recently arrested and jailed over the mismanagement of the relief items meant for Karamoja. She was charged with the loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud.

Lugoloobi’s case comes after his confirmation of using the relief items meant for the poor to roof his private property. Prosecutors are also considering charges against him for this act.

According to officials, removing the iron sheets from his animal shed does not insulate him from prosecution since the items were procured using taxpayers’ money and were diverted from their intended purpose.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has said that more suspects will be prosecuted over the diversion of the iron sheets.

In his defense, Lugoloobi said that he received about 600 G28 corrugated pre-painted iron sheets, which he used to roof a shed for his goats on his farm located in Misanga Village, Bbaale Sub-county in Kayunga District.

“I have realized that these iron sheets are evil and I no longer need them. Let me remove it so that I can buy other iron sheets and re-roof my shed so that no one can lay claim that I owe them anything on my property,” he was quoted by Daily Monitor as saying.

However, officials maintain that Lugoloobi will pay for the loss caused to the taxpayer.

The DPP has stated that each suspected recipient of the iron sheets has a case file. The DPP will make a decision on each case file when submitted by the Police, based on the evidence and the law.