Minister Lugoloobi arrested over Karamoja iron sheets scandal

The Finance state minister for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi has been arrested over the diversion of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.

Lugolobi who allegedly decided to use the diverted iron sheets to roof his cow shed was arrested on Friday night after showing up at the criminal investigations department (CID) headquarters in Kibuli to record a statement. The minister has been snubbing CID summons, allegedly duping the investigators that he is out of the country on official duties whereas not.

But sources say he was advised to show up and have his fate determined as soon as possible. He is currently being held at Kira Road police station. It is not yet clear when Lugoloobi will be arraigned before court to face justice.

Lugolobi becomes the second minister to be arrested over the Karamoja iron sheets scandal where more than 14,500 pieces of iron sheets under the Karamoja Community Empowerment Program were diverted to ineligible third parties including cabinet ministers, government officials and ministers.

Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Gorreti Kitutu was the first to be arrested and spent two days in police custody before she was produced before the Anti Corruption court on April 6 alongside her brother Michael Naboya Kitutu on six charges related to causing loss of property and conspiracy to defraud the government of Uganda.

Kitutu and her brother Naboya were earlier on Friday granted bail by the Anti-Corruption court and will return on April 27 for the prosecution to inform court about the status of investigations. They each spent eight days in Luzira prison on remand. Court also further renewed criminal summons against Joshua Abaho, the senior assistant secretary ministry of Karamoja Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister.

In December 2021, parliament passed a supplementary budget worth Shs 39 billion to support various programs in Karamoja. Of this, Shs 22 billion was allocated to purchase goats while Shs 5 billion was for the procurement of 100,000 pieces of iron sheets. Last month, CID stated that they were investigating 22 ministers, 31 MPs and 13 chief administrative officers.

The spokesperson of the office of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) Jacquelyn Okui has since stated that files of those implicated will be coming in peace meals as and when they are forwarded by the police which is investigating the matter.

President Yoweri Museveni on April 3 wrote to prime minister Robinah Nabanja (who is also accused) saying those who were involved in the iron sheets scandal made a political mistake, promising to take political action. The president also advised those who irregularly received the iron sheets to return them.