The High Court is today (Tuesday) set to hear an application in which embattled planning state minister Amos Lugoloobi seeks relaxation of bail terms in the Karamoja iron sheets case, citing a busy schedule.

Lugoloobi, who is also the Ntenjeru North MP, is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for Karamoja region.

The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court registrar Pamela Lamunu Ocaya will handle the application.

In his application, Lugoloobi wants his diplomatic passport returned to him indefinitely, arguing that his line of work requires travelling all the time.

On April 20, 2023, the Anti-Corruption Court senior principal magistrate grade one Abert Asiimwe granted Lugoloobi a cash bail of shillings 10 million and ordered him to deposit his passport in court to curtail his movements abroad.

In his affidavit, the minister states that his duty requires him to attend a plethora of financial meetings on behalf of the Government of Uganda.

“These meetings are important because they are meaningful for Uganda and other partner states to achieve budgetary targets towards sustainable development,” Lugoloobi said.

Lugoloobi is battling two counts of dealing with suspect property, contrary to Section 21A of the Anti-Corruption Act. The offence elicits a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment, upon conviction.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Lugoloobi, between July 14, 2022 and February 28, 2023, at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores Namanve in Mukono district and at different places in Matugga, Wakiso district and Ntenjeru North Constituency in Kayunga district, dealt with government property, namely, 400 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister”, having reason to believe that the said iron sheets were acquired as a result of loss of public property, an offence under Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

On the second count of dealing with suspect property, it is alleged that Lugoloobi between February 1, 2023 and March 16, 2023, at OPM stores in Namanve, in the same places, dealt with suspect property, namely, 300 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister”, having reason to believe that the said iron sheets were acquired as a result of public loss of property.

Evidence against Lugoloobi

Lugoloobi reportedly received 600 iron sheets in two equal batches of 300. He is said to have received the first consignment from the OPM on July 15, 2022, under voucher number 8058. They were signed for by his personal assistant, John Allan Damulira, and transported using car registration number UBG430S.

Lugoloobi also received another batch of 300 sheets from the Karamoja affairs ministry on February 1, 2023, under voucher number 8,527.

Exclusive photos accessed by New Vision show the iron sheets in the minister’s cow shed clearly labelled from the inside: “Office of the Prime Minister-Uganda Kiboko pre-coated sheet PPG Gauge 28.”

On February 28, 2023, Lugoloobi decided to de-roof the structure. However, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit team raided his home on the same day and impounded the iron sheets.