IRON SHEETS SAGA: DPP bounces back eight files to police for further inquiries

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo has revealed that her office rejected and returned back eight police case files that were sent to them for perusal in the ongoing investigations relating to the diversion of iron sheets meant for vulnerable people in Karamoja.

Justice Abodo while speaking at the week-long prosecutors’ symposium in Kampala yesterday said the files lacked some critical information to charge the suspects and therefore returned them to the investigations directorate for more inquiry.

“We received eight files a week ago, we read them and we found out that there were inquiries to be done and we sent them back to police to actually finish up,” Justice Abode said.

The DPP also revealed that she will expand her investigations to officials in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). She also said she will inquire into the entire procurement process before she wraps up the iron sheets investigations.

She also clarified that her office will not be investigating goats that were also meant to benefit the people of Karamoja as she will for now be concentrating on iron sheets.

Justice Abodo also denied allegations of selective prosecution of the ministers, explaining that some of the suspects could have given the iron sheets to many beneficiaries and that in such scenarios, they take a longer time to investigate compared to a suspect who gave the iron sheets to one beneficiary like a school.

“Some places are far away, so it’s not about the in-out method. If there is evidence, we actually take a particular file to court but if not ready, we ask police to carry out further inquiries.”

The development comes just a day after Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga on Monday said that police were almost through with the inquiry and investigations into the Iron Sheets Scandal and that they were only waiting for the DPP’s decision to act.

The scandal has so far seen three ministers; Mary Goretti Kitutu (Karamoja Affairs) Amos Lugoloobi (State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development) and Agnes Nandutu (junior minister for Karamoja Affairs) arraigned and charged before the Anti-Corruption Court with a long list of ministers and MPs including top government officials sucked in the saga.

Other officials charged include Kitutu’s brother Mr Michael Naboya, and Mr Joshua Abaho, the senior assistant secretary in the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs who is expected to appear tomorrow before the Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate.

Below is a full list of MPs, Ministers in the Karamoja Iron Sheets Saga

1. Jessica Alupo    Vice President
2. Anita Among    Speaker of Parliament
3. Robinah Nabbanja    Prime Minister
4. Rebecca Kadaga    First Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for East African Affairs
5. Rukia Isanga Nakadama    Second Deputy Prime Minister/Minister without Portfolio
6. Matia Kasaija    Minister for Finance Planning and Economic Development
7. Judith Nabakooba    Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development
8. Kitutu Mary Goretti    Minister for Karamoja Affairs
9. Dennis Hamson Obua    Government Chief Whip
10. Rose Lilly Akello    Minister for Ethics and Integrity
11. Grace Kwiyucwinyi    Minister of State for Northern Uganda
12. Agnes Nandutu    Minister of State for Karamoja
13. Jennifer Namuyangu    Minsiter of State for Bunyoro
14. Amos Lugoloobi    Minister of State for Finance (Planning)
15. Esther Anyakun    State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness
16. Alice Kaboyo    State Minister for Luweero/Rwenzori
17. Grace Mary Mugasa    State Minister for Public Service
18. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga    State Minister for Agriculture
19. Moriku Kaducu    State Minister for Primary Education
20. Henry Musasizi State Minister for Finance (General Duties)
21. Aisha Sekindi Minister of State for Water
22. Fred Byamukama Minister of State for Transport
23. Jacob Oboth-Oboth Minister of State for Defence
24. Obiga Kania MP, Terego East County, Terego
25. Joab Businge MP, Masindi Municipality
26. Pius Wakabi MP, Bugahya County, Hoima District
27. Stephen Aseera MP Bugangazi East County, Kikuube
28. Jennifer Mbabazi District Woman MP, Kagadi
29. Akiiki Asiimwe District Woman MP, Masindi
30. Kenneth Kiiza MP Bujenje County, Masindi
31. Aled Akuguzibwe MP Buruuli County Masindi
32. Jacob Karubanga MP, Kibanda South, Kiryandongo
33. Barnabas Tinkasimire MP, Buyaga West, Kagadi
34. Harriet Businge District Woman MP, Hoima
35. David Karubanga MP, Kigorobya County, Hoima
36. Noeline Kisembo District Woman MP, Kibaale
37. Josephat Tumwesigye MP, Bugangazi South Kakumiro
38. Emely Kugonza MP, Buyanja East County, Kibaale
39. Linos Ngompek MP, Kibanda North, Kiryandongo
40. Flora Natumanya District Woman MP, Kikuube
41. Eric Musana MP, Buyaga East County, Kagadi
42. Joseph Ruyonga MP, Hoima West Division, Hoima City
43. Hellen Kahunde District Woman MP, Kiryandongo
44. Norah Bigirwa District Woman MP, Buliisa
45. Aisha Black Agaba MP, Bugangaizi East
46. Dr Patrick Isingoma MP, Hoima East Division, Hoima City
47. Agnes Kirabo Youth MP Central Region
48. Francis Twinomujuni MP, Buhaguzi County, Kikuube
49. Julius Maganda Unclear
50. Asinansi Nyakato District Woman MP, Hoima City
51. Paul Omara MP, Otuke County
52. Ruth Mold Lemetia Unclear
53. Cissy Namujju District Woman MP, Lwengo