19″ April “2023” Reuters
KAMPALA,() – A third Ugandan minister was charged on Wednesday with corruption in a widening government scandal over the alleged theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets intended for a relief programme in the northeastern Karamoja region.
On Wednesday Agness Nandutu, the state minister for Karamoja Affairs, was remanded in prison by a Kampala judge after pleading not guilty to “dealing with suspect property,” according to court papers seen by Reuters
Nandutu was accused of receiving 2,000 roofing sheets from government stores “which she had reason to believe were acquired as a result of loss of public property.”
Prosecutors have already charged two other lawmakers in the same case, including Uganda’s junior finance minister. The relief programme is being run by the prime minister’s office.
The country’s leading prosecutor, Jane Frances Abodo, told a local radio station her office had opened parallel investigations into dozens of other officials, including the vice presiden
Minister of State for Planning Amos Lugoloobi yesterday wept, wiping tears from his eyes moments after he stepped into the dock of the packed courtroom to face charges related to the Karamoja iron sheets scandal.
It had been anticipated that he would be appearing alongside Ms Agnes Nandutu, the junior minister for Karamoja Affairs. But Ms Nandutu’s whereabouts remained unknown. She never responded to police summons on Friday, did not turn up at CID headquarters yesterday morning.
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Clad in a multi-coloured, long-sleeved African wear shirt, Mr Lugoloobi appeared to have been overwhelmed by the heavy atmosphere in court and the strangeness of his position.
As charges of dealing with suspect property contrary to Section 21A of the Anti-Corruption Act were read out to him, Mr Lugoloobi seemed to shrink into himself. “Your worship, not guilty…,” the minister mumbled, pleading not guilty to the two counts of dealing with suspect property which the magistrate read out. He was to leave court, remanded to Luzira Prison until Thursday, even more downcast.
Principal Senior Grade One Magistrate, Ebert Asiimwe, reserved his ruling on the bail application made by defence lawyer John Isabirye. He was neither persuaded by the cannula stuck in Lugoloobi’s hand, nor by appeals that the minister was not well.
At Luzira prison, the minister will be pondering over the possibility of seven years imprisonment if found guilty, or to a fine of 160 currency points (Shs3.2 million) or both.
It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Lugoloobi between July 14, 2022 and February at stores of the Office of the Prime Minister in Namanve, Mukono District and in Matugga, Wakiso District and Ntenjeru North Constituency in Kayunga District, dealt with government property, to wit; 400 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister”.
The DPP says the minister allegedly committed this offence well knowing that the said iron sheets were acquired as a result of loss of public property.
Under count two of the same charge, the DPP contended that the minister between the same period and same places, dealt with 300 pre-painted iron sheets.
The Ntenjeru North MP had presented seven people to stand surety for his bail to no avail – They included Mariam Naigaga (Woman MP Namutumba District), James Kakooza (EALA MP), Dr Kefa Kiwanuka (MP for Kiboga East).
