UGANDA, Karamoja | Real Muloodi News | Minister of State for Defense and Veterans Affairs, Mr Jacob Oboth Oboth, was escorted to record an additional statement with police in relation to ongoing investigations into the misappropriation of iron sheets that were meant for the people in Karamoja sub-region. This brings the total number of ministers dragged in for police questioning over the matter to four.
Minister Oboth Oboth recorded the additional statement at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) at Kibuli, Kampala, on Thursday April 20.
Three other ministers have already been produced in court and charged with offenses related to the misappropriation of the iron sheets. These include Minister for Karamoja Mary Gorreti Kitutu, State Minister for Finance Mr Amos Lugoloobi, and State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Ms Agnes Nanduttu. Kitutu and Lugoloobi have since been granted bail, while Nanduttu has been remanded in Luzira maximum prison for 14 days.
Mr Oboth Oboth, who is also a Member of Parliament for West Budama Central, had reportedly donated 137 iron sheets towards the roofing of the parish priest’s house at St. Andrews Church of Uganda. However, days later the Church said they were left in a dilemma after the minister returned the iron sheets to the Office of the Prime Minister. Mr Oboth Oboth returned a total of 300 iron sheets.
At least 20 ministers and 35 legislators across the country have been implicated in the Karamoja iron sheet scandal, putting the government under intense scrutiny.
Among the highest-ranking officials who received iron sheets are Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, and Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba.
Speaker Among also returned the 500 pieces she received, as did State Minister Lugoloobi who returned 600 pieces. Minister Kasaija brought back 298 out of the 300 iron sheets he received. However, he has promised to bring the balance said Mr David Kayongo, a senior assistant secretary for finance and administration at OPM who has been stationed at the OPM’s Namanve stores to oversee the process.
According to one source, in addition to Mr Oboth Oboth’s file, CID has also finished processing the files for Ministers Kasaija, Hamson Obua and Judith Nabakooba. The files have reportedly been handed over to the DPP for possible prosecution to begin.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
State Minister Lugoloobi Granted Bail Amidst Karamoja Corruption Scandal
Minister Agnes Nandutu Remanded to Luzira Prison until May 3
Karamoja Iron Sheets: Third Minister Detained after Surrendering to Police
State Finance Minister Arrested, Denied Bail in Iron Sheet Theft Case
Minister Kitutu Sent to Luzira Prison over Karamoja Iron Sheets
