Iron sheets scandal: Kitutu back in court

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The former Karamoja affairs minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu Kimono, accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region, is expected to appear at the Anti-Corruption Court for a mention of her case.

The hearing of the case is currently on hold, pending a Court of Appeals decision on Kitutu's application to block her prosecution, citing torture and human rights violations during her interrogation.

Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga is handling the case.

Kitutu, who is the Manafwa district Woman Member of Parliament, faces the charges together with her brother, Michael Kitutu Naboya, and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) senior assistant secretary, Joshua Abaho.

The minister faces two counts of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud while Abaho of corruption. The minister’s brother is accused of receiving stolen property.
Under the Anti-Corruption Act, the offence of loss of public property elicits a 10-year jail term on conviction. The offence of conspiracy to defraud and receiving stolen property, under the Penal Code Act, attracts a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Kitutu, between June 2022 and January 2023, at the OPM stores in Namanve, caused 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 benefiting the Karamoja Community Development Programme (KCEP), to her own 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 benefiting the KCEP, to her own 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 subcounty, 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.

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 virtue of 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.