EXPOSED: OPM iron sheets discovered roofing catechist’s house in Rubanda

RUBANDA, UGANDA: Part of the 200 iron sheets that the State Minister for Finance (General Duties) Mr Henry Ariganyira Musasizi earlier confirmed to have received from the consignment meant for vulnerable households in Karamoja Sub-region have been discovered roofing the house for the Isingiro Catholic Church’s catechist in Igomanda parish of Hamurwa Sub County, Rubanda District.

In February this year, Musasizi who is also the Rubanda East Legislator said that he received 200 iron sheets and handed them over to the Kakore-Rugambwa catholic parish priest Rev Fr Herbert Agaba.

Musasizi said that he had asked Fr Agaba to help in the distribution of iron sheets to several learning institutions and churches in the district. This was however denied by a section of heads of learning institutions and district officials. Fr Agaba, at the time, confirmed receipt of the 200 iron sheets from iron sheets.

Last week, DailyExpress was told by the Rubanda District Internal Security Officer Michael Mwijukye that the iron sheets were still in Rubanda District despite the presidential directive to return the diverted iron sheets but he did not divulge the whereabouts of the iron sheets.

When contacted on Thursday last week, Fr Agaba declined to comment on the matter saying he did not want to betray Minister Musasizi. When contacted, Musasizi also declined to comment on the matter.

Now, in the latest development, DailyExpress reporter reached out to Isingiro Catholic Church which was earlier reported to have received part of the 200 iron sheets that were reportedly by Musasizi and discovered that some iron sheets had been used to indeed roof the house of the catechist and the remaining about 5 pieces of the iron sheets were seen locked in a Church.

Syliver Karimunda, one of the members of the construction committee of Isingiro Catholic church confirmed to this publication that the Church received sixty-four iron sheets to the catechist’s house having asked for support from Fr Agaba.

In December 2021, Parliament passed a supplementary budget worth 39 billion Shillings to support various programs in Karamoja, including the purchase of 100,000 iron sheets, which are alleged to have been diverted.

In March this year, the Karamoja Parliamentary group formally wrote to the Clerk of Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, notifying him of their intent to file a notice of motion for the censure of Minister Kitutu.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni days later directed the CID and the State House Anti-corruption Unit to jointly carry out investigations into the scandal, with the suspects recording statements at CID before the DPP took over the charges.

The Police have since announced that they were investigating 22 Ministers, 31 Members of Parliament, and 13 Chief Administrative Officers believed to have received the iron sheets.