Lugoloobi free as DPP loses interest in Mabaati scandal case

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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn charges of dealing with suspect property (iron sheets) against planning state minister Amos Lugoloobi.

The iron sheets had been designated for the Karamoja sub-region. The withdrawal ends a case Lugoloobi has battled for more than two years before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.

“Take notice that the Government of Uganda intends that the proceedings against Lugoloobi charged with two counts of dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21A of the Anti-Corruption Act (as amended) shall not continue,” states in part a nolle prosequi, signed by the outgoing DPP Jane Frances Abodo.

The nolle prosequi (a formal notice of abandonment), dated November 7, 2025, was Thursday (November, 11) presented to acting Principal judge Jane Okuo Kajuga, who subsequently discharged Lugoloobi and set him free.

Lugoloobi, who is also the Ntenjeru North MP, was being represented by lawyers John Isabirye and Tony Tumukunde while the state was being represented by Josephine Namatovu, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions.

Allegations

It had been alleged 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 had also been alleged that Lugoloobi between February 1, 2023 and March 16, 2023, at OPM stores 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.

Background

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.

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