Inside the twists, turns of the iron sheet saga 

A slow-simmering scandal over the theft of relief iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region has brought into public view the elaborate lengths some wealthy politicians can go to pinch public resources. Nothing is spared.

The iron sheets kept in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores were meant to be distributed to people in the Karamoja sub-region under the affirmative action programme.

Among those accused of stealing the relief iron sheets are Cotilda Kitutu, Micheal Nabwaya, and Julius Wabule. The accused are the mother, brother, and nephew of minister of Karamoja Affairs Goretti Kitutu. The three were discovered selling OPM-branded iron sheets to residents of Namisindwa district in Eastern Uganda.

In a January 12, 2023, internal memo to the stores’ department at the OPM, minister Kitutu ordered the release of 12,200 iron sheets to her office.

Her memo read in part, “During community mobilization and peace-building missions, I usually meet vulnerable groups and karuchunas (reformed warriors) who are willing to dissociate themselves from rustling. As part of my intervention, I will be distributing iron sheets to such special vulnerable groups.”

In a February 13, 2023, internal memo seen by The Observer, the senior inventory officer at the OPM informed the permanent secretary that the iron sheets were sent to the “beneficiaries” following guidance and a list provided by minister Kitutu’s personal assistant.

The memo notes that the stores’ department relied on WhatsApp messages sent by the minister’s personal assistant to distribute the iron sheets. The iron sheets were distributed from January 25, 2023, until February 8, 2023, when the release of the iron sheets was halted indefinitely.

On the same day, OPM permanent secretary Keith Muhakanizi said that the ministry did not send iron sheets to Namisindwa district. He promised that the diversion of iron sheets would be investigated, and action taken against the perpetrators.

Recently, social media was awash with claims that members of the executive arm, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Vice President Jessica Alupo, and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, among others, received relief iron sheets.

A source privy to developments at the OPM dismissed any possibility that Nabbanja and other colleagues had misappropriated the iron sheets.

“This could be a ploy by Kitutu’s loyalists to distract public attention from her involvement in such a mega corruption scandal. She wants people to believe that there are very many people who received the iron sheets,” the source alleged.

In a February 17, 2023 statement, Nabbanja noted that the iron sheets that were given to other areas of Uganda were procured by respective ministries for specific responses, including disasters. She emphasized that OPM is home to several affirmative action ministries like Karamoja Affairs, Bunyoro Affairs, Teso Affairs, Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Luweero-Rwenzori, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees.

These, she said, procure various items, including iron sheets, for specific interventions to address gaps in livelihood and infrastructure in their respective portfolios; these items are kept in the same store.

Speaking to The Observer, Joseph Sabiti, the principal press secretary to speaker of parliament Anita Among, confirmed that the iron sheets had been received and sent to the final beneficiaries.

He said, “Bukedea district received 500 iron sheets from the ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness. 200 iron sheets went to Kajamaka primary school in Kidongole sub-county, 150 to Kadacar primary school in Kangole sub-county, and 150 to Kalou primary school. The items were delivered to the beneficiaries by local councilors, and the schools acknowledged receipt of the items.”

He also shared photos of some beneficiaries receiving the iron sheets. Interviewed for comment on the procedure used to identify beneficiaries of relief items, Joyce Babirye, the public relations officer at OPM said, “The iron sheets issue is under investigation. I cannot comment.”

When the same question was put to Keith Muhakanizi, the permanent secretary and accounting officer of the OPM, he texted back saying, “Kindly ask the accounting officer, OPM.”

In a statement issued on February 15, eight members of parliament from the Karamoja Parliamentary Group accused minister Kitutu of diverting iron sheets, goats, and food intended for the Karimojong people.

The MPs said their constituents had been affected by starvation and spates of insecurity. Led by their group chairperson, Remegio Achia, the MPs made four prayers, which included the need for parliament to investigate the issues through a relevant committee; that Kitutu and the minister of state for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, step aside to allow proper investigation into the matter; that a forensic audit be done on both the procurement and distribution of goats and iron sheets to intended beneficiaries as well as the audit of food stores in Namalu Prison Farm, which food was meant to feed primary school children;

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