‘Big fish’ like Nabbanja in Iron Sheets Scandal should be forced to resign – MP Kamara

KABALE, UGANDA: The Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament Dr Thaddeus Nicholas Kamara has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation and prosecution processes for all senior government officials who are implicated in the iron sheet saga saying that prosecutors began with what he termed small fish instead of arresting their supervisors.

Dr Kamara revealed his dissatisfaction while attending today’s prayers during Eid al-Fitr celebrations at Kirigime main mosque in Kabale municipality.

The FDC legislator observed that before the arrest of junior ministers including the state minister for Karamoja affairs Agness Nandutu, the state for finance in charge of planning Amos Lugolobi and the minister for Karamoja affairs Mary Gorreti Kitutu, Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja should have been arrested first and forced to resign to pave way for investigations.

Dr Kamara said that it is immoral and not proper for the premier who is implicated in the scandal to address Parliament as the leader of Government business saying that it portrays a bad image to the country and disregards the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.

He asked investigators and prosecutors to quicken the process and have all senior leaders implicated in the scandal arrested.

Ministers faulted for benefiting from the relief iron sheets meant for Karamoja Sub-region include; the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija, his deputies Henry Musasizi and Amos Lugolobi, the Vice President Jessica Alupo, the Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, and the Minister of East Africa Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga among other ministers and Members of Parliament.

In December 2021, Parliament passed a 39 billion Shillings supplementary budget to support livelihood programmes in Karamoja.

Out of the money, 22 billion was to purchase goats and five billion for procuring 100,000 iron sheets but them items have largely been mismanaged.