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The hearing of a case in which Karamoja affairs minister Goretti Kitutu claims she was tortured, resumes on Thursday with the Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, expected to testify in the matter.

The Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga adjourned the case to Thursday after hearing the testimony of four Police officers.

The officers are Superintendent of Police Sophy Neboshi, Assistant Superintendent of Police Elias Twesigye, Senior Commissioner of Police Beata Chelimo, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Juliet Mutuwa.

Kitutu, embroiled in the iron sheets scandal, is charged together with her brother, Micheal Kitutu Naboya, and personal assistant Joshua Abaho.

Kitutu, who is also Manafwa District Woman Member of Parliament, is battling charges of dealing with suspect property for allegedly diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja region, while Naboya is suspected of having received stolen property. Abaho is accused of corruption.

On Tuesday, Twesigye told the court that Kitutu slept on a 6-inch mattress while in the Police cell, contrary to her claims that she was being mistreated. He was being cross-examined by defence lawyers Dr James Akampumuza, Jude Byamukama, and John Musiime.

“A special VIP room and mattress was organised for Kitutu at Kira Road Police Station by a female guard,” Twesigye said.

He revealed that the detention VIP cell was organised for Kitutu on April 4, 2023, following a directive from the Director Criminal Investigation Department.

Superintendent of Police Sophy Neboshi also told the court that Kitutu’s statement was tainted with falsehoods.

“Kitutu’s statement does not set out the true and correct account of events that transpired on the day she was arrested,” Neboshi stated.

Application

In her application, Kitutu purports that she was blindfolded and driven at breakneck speed to Kayunga when arrested.

Kitutu alleges that on April 4, 2023, she was arrested, intimidated, and denied access to a lawyer thereby violating her constitutional right to a fair trial.

As a result, she, therefore, wants her trial at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala to be declared null and void.

“I seek a declaration that investigation into the alleged theft of iron sheets meant for Karamoja community empowerment programme and the resulting criminal charges were irreparably tainted with gross abuse of applicant’s non-derogable rights,” Kitutu requests.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Kitutu between June 2022 and January 2023 at the OPM stores in Namanve, caused the loss of public property in the form of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets gauge 28.

It is alleged that she diverted the iron sheets from the intended purpose of benefitting the Karamoja Community Development Programme (KCEP), to her benefit and to the benefit of third parties having reason to believe that such an act would result in loss of the said public property.

She is also accused of diverting 5,500 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28, from the intended purpose of benefitting the KCEP to her benefit and to the benefit of third parties having reason to believe that such an act would result in loss of the said public property.

The state further alleges that the trio between June 2022 and January 2023, conspired by deceit to defraud beneficiaries under the KCEP of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28.

It is also purported that between June 2022 and January 2023 at Situmi Village, Bukhawekha sub-county, Namisindwa district, Naboya received 100 pre-coated iron sheets of gauge 28 marked OPM-Uganda, having reason to believe the same to have been feloniously obtained.

The prosecution alleges that Abaho in June 2022 at the OPM stores in Namanve, Mukono district, diverted 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets meant for KCEP, for purposes unrelated to those for which they were intended and for the benefit of third parties, which he received by the position of his office, for purpose of custody and distribution.

Abaho is also accused of diverting 5,500 pre-painted iron sheets which were meant for KCEP for purposes unrelated to those for which they were intended and for the benefit of third parties which he received for purposes of custody and distribution.