The High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division has ruled that Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Amos Lugolobi, must defend himself against charges of dealing with suspect property.
The charges against Lugolobi arise from his alleged involvement in the mismanagement of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja relief program.
The materials, marked “Office of the Prime Minister,” were part of a supplementary budget aimed at addressing development needs in the region.
Instead of being delivered as intended, the iron sheets were diverted and distributed to unauthorized individuals, including Lugolobi, between July 2022 and March 2023.
Prosecution witnesses testified that Lugolobi received over 700 iron sheets, some of which were later discovered at his farm in Baale Sub-county, Kayunga District.
Additional evidence linked the materials to a local church and a primary school where they were used for roofing projects.
The prosecution team led by Assistant DPP Josephine Namatovu argued that this distribution amounted to an unlawful handling of public property, contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act.
The court heard from 11 prosecution witnesses, including Geoffrey Seremba, the former Under-Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister.
He testified about the initial procurement of the iron sheets and their intended use under the Karamoja development initiative.
Lugolobi’s defense team argued that he had no reason to suspect the iron sheets were unlawfully acquired, emphasizing that the materials were not specifically marked for Karamoja and were distributed through official government channels.
However, Justice Kajuga noted the absence of a formal requisition by Lugolobi and his apparent lack of inquiry into the materials’ source and purpose, raising questions about his awareness of their intended use.
She stated that his experience as a cabinet minister and Member of Parliament should have prompted greater scrutiny.
Concluding her ruling, Justice Kajuga stated that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
She noted that while the evidence does not yet prove Lugolobi’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it is sufficient to require him to explain his actions.
The judge dismissed the defense’s objections regarding the indictment’s framing, affirming that the particulars provided were adequate to inform Lugolobi of the charges against him.
Meanwhile, the court’s decision means Lugolobi will now have to present his defense in response to the allegations.
This case has resurrected in the media, drawing public attention to issues of accountability and the management of public resources.
It is worth noting that Lugolobi is not the only minister implicated in the iron sheets scandal. Other ministers, including Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her junior, Agnes Nandutu, have also been accused of diverting iron sheets meant for vulnerable groups in Karamoja.
The prosecution has gathered seven witnesses to testify against Lugolobi, who is accused of diverting iron sheets that were intended for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.
Lugolobi’s case has sparked concerns about corruption and accountability in Uganda, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
