Minister Kitutu to Appear before Court over Karamoja Iron Sheets Today

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has sanctioned charges of corruption and conspiracy to commit a felony against Karamoja Affairs Minister Kitutu Mary Goretti Kimono for diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme. 

The DPP Jane Frances Abodo has consented to the charges. The Police have been directed to produce the Minister in court for plea taking today on Thursday April 5, 2023.

Kitutu on Tuesday while appearing before the committee on Presidential Affairs headed by Jesca Ababiku refused to respond to allegations of irregularly sharing iron sheets.

When she also refused to answer the MPs’ questions under oath, the committee chairperson, Ababiku was prompted to hand her over to the Parliamentary Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) officers to record a statement.

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, 22 ministers, 31 MPs and 13 district chief administrative officers have been implicated in the famous Karamoja iron sheet scandal.

After the ODPP sectioning Minister Kitutu on charges of corruption and conspiracy to commit a felony, the country is waiting to see what will transpire on the side of the other implicated government officials.

Weeks ago, the Speaker Among, who has previously denied any wrongdoing, bought 500 iron sheets to be returned to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Karamoja minister refused to respond to allegations that she irregularly shared with her colleagues thousands of iron sheets meant to help resettle Karimojong warriors (Karachuna) as part of the government’s efforts to improve livelihoods alongside its disarmament programme in the troubled Karamoja sub-region. She had failed to honour two earlier invitations to appear before the committee last week.

Wearing a face mask, the minister was cagey in her responses. And tersely said she did not honour the first invite because she was sick and in the second case, she was out of town and did not see the invitation sent through WhatsApp in time.

Her short responses irked the legislators who decided that the minister be placed under oath. But she refused to take the oath, emphasising, “I don’t have any answer.”

According to Rule 212 (1) of the House Rules of Procedure, a committee shall have power to cause a witness to be examined under oath. Witnesses must tell the truth while under oath or else face criminal sanctions.

Ms Kitutu is accused of failing to deliver iron sheets and other relief items meant for Karamoja, some of which she allegedly diverted to non-intended beneficiaries.

The Inspectorate of Government’s spokesperson, Munira Ali, last month said that 22 ministers, 31 Members of Parliament and 13 Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) had explained their position in regard to the iron sheets.

IGG list of beneficiaries

1. 1. Jessica Alupo (Vice President)

    

   2. Anita Among (Speaker of Parliament)

    

   3. Robinah Nabbanja (Prime Minister)

    

   4. Rebecca Kadaga (First Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for East African Affairs)

    

   5. Rukia Isanga Nakadama (Second Deputy Prime Minister/Minister without Portfolio)

    

   6. Matia Kasaija (Finance Minister)

    

   7. Judith Nabakooba (Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development)

    

   8. Mary Kitutu Goretti (Minister for Karamoja Affairs)

    

   9. Dennis Hamson Obua (Government Chief Whip)

    

   10. Rose Lilly Akello (Minister for Ethics and Integrity)

    

   11. Grace Kwiyucwiny (Minister of State for Northern Uganda)

    

   12. Agnes Nandutu (Minister of State for Karamoja)

    

   13. Jennifer Namuyangu (Minsiter of State for Bunyoro

    

   14. Amos Lugoloobi (Minister of State for Finance (Planning)

    

   15. Esther Anyakun (State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness)

    

   16. Alice Kaboyo (State Minister for Luweero/Rwenzori)

    

   17. Grace Mary Mugasa (State Minister for Public Service)

    

   18. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga (State Minister for Agriculture)

    

   19. Moriku Kaducu (State Minister for Primary Education)

    

   20. Henry Musasizi (State Minister for Finance (General Duties)

    

   21. Aisha Sekindi (Minister of State for Water)

    

   22. Fred Byamukama (Minister of State for Transport)

    

   23. Jacob Oboth-Oboth (Minister of State for Defence)

    

   24. Obiga Kania (MP, Terego East County, Terego)

    

   25. Joab Businge (MP, Masindi Municipality)

    

   26. Pius Wakabi (MP, Bugahya County, Hoima District)

    

   27. Stephen Aseera (MP Bugangazi East County)

    

   28. Jennifer Mbabazi (District Woman MP, Kagadi)

    

   29. Akiiki Asiimwe (District Woman MP, Masindi)

    

   30. Kenneth Kiiza (MP Bujenje County, Masindi)

    

   31. Aled Akugizibwe (MP Buruli County Masindi)

    

   32. Jacob Karubanga (MP, Kibanda South, Kiryandongo)

    

   33. Barnabas Tinkasimire (MP, Buyaga West, Kagadi)

    

   34. Harriet Businge (District Woman MP, Hoima)

    

   35. David Karubanga (MP, Kigorobya County, Hoima)

    

   36. Noeline Kisembo (District Woman MP, Kibaale)

    

   37. Josephat Tumwesigye (MP, Bugangazi South Kakumiro)

    

   38. Emely Kugonza (MP, Buyanja East County, Kibaale)