UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has announced the completion of the investigation into the Karamoja iron sheets scandal involving Minister Mary Gorreti Kitutu and two others.
The scandal revolves around the alleged mismanagement of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja Sub-region.
The Chief State Attorney, Mr Jonathan Muwaganya, presented the indictment to the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, requesting the accused persons to be committed to the High Court for trial.
During the court proceedings, Mr John Musiime, a defence lawyer, raised concerns about the jurisdiction of the court.
He argued that there is a pending criminal revision application challenging the territorial jurisdiction of one of the suspects, Mr Micheal Naboya Kitutu, who happens to be the brother of Minister Kitutu.
The defence lawyers contended that the corruption charges against Mr Naboya should be dismissed since he should have been charged in the Mbale court, which is closer to his home district of Namisindwa where the alleged crime took place.
The prosecution, represented by Mr Muwaganya, objected to the defence’s request to halt the committal process. He stated that there is no injunction preventing the court from proceeding with its business and sending the accused persons to the High Court for trial.
According to Mr Muwaganya, there is no order of stay of proceedings from the High Court. However, Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro suggested waiting for the High Court’s decision before taking any further steps.
Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu is facing two counts of loss of public property and one count of conspiracy to defraud.
The DPP alleges that the minister diverted 9,000 pre-painted gauges and 28 iron sheets from the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme, causing a loss of public property.
The diversion allegedly took place at the Office of the Prime Minister stores in Namanve, Mukono District between June 2022 and January. The prosecution also claims that Minister Kitutu caused the loss of an additional 5,500 iron sheets.
Mr Micheal Naboya Kitutu, Minister Kitutu’s brother, is accused of receiving 100 stolen pre-coated iron sheets between June 2022 and January in Situmi Village, Bukhawekha Sub-county, Namisindwa District.
The prosecution alleges that he obtained the items illegally. Mr Joshua Abaho, the senior assistant secretary in the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister, is jointly charged with the Kitutus.
All three of them have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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