KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga has revealed that the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Ms Agnes Nandutu risks being arrested after she snubbed summons issued for her to appear before the Criminal Investigations Division headquarters in Kibuli.
Enanga who was addressing journalists on Monday said that whereas Nandutu was expected to appear on Friday as a witness in the ongoing investigations at Kibuli, she didn’t show up but also didn’t provide a reason for not appearing.
“There are some of the witnesses we interviewed from the beginning of the investigations and we have re-invited them to reappear at CID headquarters but some of them have not appeared. For example, Hon Agnes Nandutu was summoned to reappear at CID headquarters but she didn’t turn up,” said Enanga.
Enanga however urged all witnesses who have been summoned to respond to the summons but also cooperate with investigators.
“The information we require from you can help either prove the allegations against them or disprove what has been put against them. We want to see whether the ingredients in the file are enough to be taken to the DPP”
The police spokesperson however didn’t commit himself on the fate of the minister in case she totally refuses to appear at CID as summoned, but it is likely that on refusal to honour the summons, the minister risks an arrest.
When asked to explain why separate ministers are being apprehended, Enanga said that the arrest of people implicated in the iron sheets scandal only depends on the advice of the DPP and the evidence against them.
“We have a separate file on each person that we sent to the DPP. On reading the file and weighing evidence, the DPP has the discretion to determine who is to be arraigned in court or not.”
The development comes against the backdrop of the arrest of Ministers Amons Lugoloobi (Planning) and Dr Mary Gorreti Kitutu (Karamoja) over their involvement in the Karamoja iron sheet saga.
In his statement on the scandal, President Museveni recently said he would take “a political” action against all those involved in the iron sheets scandal, a phrase which many interpreted as possibly firing them from the cabinet.
The president has also said that all those who used the iron sheets meant for Karamoja to benefit their constituents should return them or pay an equivalent monetary value as police and court prosecutes the suspected officials.
According to Mr Museveni’s statement, the act of diverting the Karamoja iron sheets as being subversive since these were meant for among others, the Karachuna(Karamojong warriors) as part of government efforts to fight insecurity in the area.
A list of over 32 ministers and over 30 members of parliament including Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, Speaker of Parliament and Anita Among, among others have been implicated in the Karamoja iron sheet scandal.
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