KAMPALA, UGANDA: The State Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon Jacob Oboth Oboth Thursday afternoon reported to Criminal Investigations Directorate for questioning over his involvement in the ongoing Karamoja Iron Sheets scandal.
A verified source confirmed to this publication that the West Budama MP reported at the CID headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala on Thursday afternoon to record an additional statement on how he utilized over 300 iron sheets that were meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
The minister was received by counterterrorism officers deployed all round the premises as he was whisked away to the Deputy CID Director Beata Chelimo for further questioning.
The source did not confirm to this reporter if the minister would be detained after question as the mood was tense at the facility with no press personnel allowed to cover the proceedings.
The development comes just days after Christians at St Andrews Church of Uganda Kiyeyi in Nabuyoga Town Council, Tororo District said they were in a dilemma after the minister returned the 137 iron sheets he received to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The iron sheets he had donated were reportedly picked last Thursday by his bodyguards from the church stores where they had been kept.
Oboth is among the senior government officials implicated in the scandal that has left President Museveni’s government struggling to save face amid public outcry over increasing corruption and abuse of office.
If arrested and charged before court, Oboth will join three other ministers who have so far been arraigned in court over the scandal. These include Karamoja Affairs Minister Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu, her state Minister state Agnes Nandutu and the State Minister for Planning, Mr Amos Lugoloobi.
At least 20 ministers and about 35 legislators across the country are facing the heat over the Karamoja irons sheets, with government struggling to save face over the scandal.
A number of senior ministers, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Finance minister, Matia Kasaija are among the most senior ministers to have received the iron sheets.
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