KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned corruption charges against Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mary Goretti Kitutu over the alleged mismanagement of relief items meant for the vulnerable in the northern sub-region.
In a statement yesterday evening, DPP confirmed the development and said the minister is expected in court today (Thursday) to explain why she allegedly diverted iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has sanctioned charges of corruption and conspiracy to commit a felony against Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mary Goretti Kitutu Kimono for allegedly diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme.”
“The Police have been directed to produce the Minister in court for plea tomorrow (April 6),” the statement added.
Ms Kitutu who was arrested Tuesday afternoon is currently in police custody at Kibuli CID offices on accusations of failing to deliver iron sheets and other relief items meant for Karamoja, some of which she allegedly diverted to non-intended beneficiaries, including her close relatives.
Unless otherwise, the minister Kitutu is expected to spend the Easter holiday in Luzira prison where she will be remanded by the Anti-Corruption Court after being charged.
Background
Minister Kitutu’s woes began on February 13, 2023, when her relatives were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in Namisindwa district and thousands of iron sheets were recovered. The Minister 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 thousands of iron sheets were 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.
A subsequent report from the inventory section at the OPM detailed how the iron sheets that were meant for Karamoja were released and shared with the ministers.
The report states that on January 25, 2023, the stores unit at the OPM received authorisation from the undersecretary to release 12,200 G28 corrugated pre-painted iron sheets to OPM.
“The stores unit, thereafter, received phone calls from the office of the Minister for Karamoja Affairs through her personal assistant and senior assistant secretary Karamoja Affairs informing us that he will be sending beneficiaries of the 12,200 iron sheets to pick their consignment and that he will be guiding on the distribution from time to time,” the reports states.
In the report, the senior inventory management officer said: “It is true we based on verbal and WhatsApp communication of the Personal Assistant (PA) to Kitutu to inform our decision to issue to the ministers because we had no reason to doubt the communication from a fellow officer who works directly with the Minister for Karamoja Affairs,” the report indicated.
All the other ministers and government officials accused of participating in the diversion of the iron sheets meant for the vulnerable in Karamoja have in their statements said they never requested for the relief items but rather were given to them by the ministry.
On Monday, Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said they had completed their investigations and were now writing a report that would be submitted to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for advice on what charges to prefer.
The (IGG) has released a list of individuals who allegedly received iron sheets that were meant for the Karamoja region.
The list includes high-ranking government officials such as;
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)
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