KAMPALA, UGANDA: The State Minister for Planning, Mr Amos Lugoloobi has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the mismanagement of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of the Karamoja region and remanded to Luzira until Thursday, April 20.
Mr Lugoloobi who is also the MP for Ntenjeru North in Kayunga district Monday appeared before a fully-filled courtroom at the Anti-Corruption Court on Kololo after he was arrested on Friday evening shortly after returning 300 iron sheets to the OPM stores in Namanve, Mukono district.
The acting Senior Principal Magistrate Grade One, Abert Asiimwe who presided over the afternoon court session charged the minister with two counts of dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
State Prosecution alleges that between July 14, 2022, and February 28, 2023, and February 1, 2023, and March 16, 2023, Minister Amos Lugoloobi dealt with government property including 700 pre-painted iron sheets having reason to believe that they were acquired as a result of loss of public property under section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
When asked to comment about the charges, Lugoloobi denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to any of the charges. “Your worship I have heard and understood the charges but I am not guilty,” Lugoloobi said.
State prosecution led by Stanley Moses Baine asked court for more time as inquiries into the matter are not yet complete.
The Minister’s lawyer applied for his release on bail and presented copies indicating his official occupation as a minister and Member of Parliament, as well as a photocopy of the accused’s certificate of title (block 261 plot 730 in Makindye division) and the following sureties:
▪️ Mariam Naigaga, 44, a resident of Kawuku village in Makindye division. She is the woman MP for Namutumba district in Parliament and says she “has been a friend of the applicant for over ten years”.
▪️ James Kakooza, 61, a resident of Kizungu in Makindye division. He is a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and a former state minister for health.
▪️ Dr Kefa Kiwanuka, 64, a resident of Kalungu C village, Ggaba Ward in Makindye division. He is the MP of Kiboga East in Kiboga district. He has been a friend of the applicant for over 10 years.
▪️ Charles Paul Mugambwa, 82, a very close friend of the applicant. He was his best man on December 4, 1990, at the accused’s wedding. He is a resident of Kabawanga Zone, Buziga parish, Makindye. He is a former Ugandan ambassador to Brazil. He is currently engaged in the Real estate business.
▪️ Martin Ssekajja, 39, a resident of Nazareth Zone, Kyanja parish in Nakawa division. He is the head of operations at Uganda Security Printing Company and a business associate of the applicant.
▪️ Joseph Muvawala, the executive director of the National Planning Authority. He is a resident of Namugongo and the prime minister of the Busoga kingdom. He is a very close friend of the applicant.
▪️ Moses Karisa Kalangwa, aged 53. He is a senior businessman from Kayunga.
However, efforts to have Lugoloobi released on bail were futile after court magistrate concurred with the state prosecution team to be accorded more time to study the documents submitted for the sureties.
The minister has been sent to Luzira prison until Thursday, April 20, a date which the court has fixed for the hearing of his bail application.
As per the police statement on Monday morning, Minister Lugoloobi is the third person to be arrested in connection with the iron sheets scandal.
The second official according to police is Hon Agnes Nandutu (State Minister for Karamoja) who was scheduled to appear before the CID last Friday but did not attend as planned and is now being hunted by security agencies to have her arrested and arraigned before court.
Government-owned publication NewVision Monday reported that up to eight ministers could be arrested and charged before the court this week as DPP prepares more files for the implicated government officials.
The list which includes over 22 ministers and 30 MPs has high-profile cabinet officials such as Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker Anita Among, Third Deputy Prime Minister and Ex-Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, among others.
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