The embattled Minister of Karamoja Affairs, Mary Gorreti Kitutu, has been summoned by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turomwe, regarding the contentious iron sheet scandal.
According to a letter that URN has received, Kamya wrote on December 6, 2023, that Kitutu must appear in person at her office on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
According to the letter, the minister must provide details regarding the ongoing investigation. On the other hand, 11,006 iron sheets are reportedly in existence.
“And additionally, to bring along and present at that particular location any records or data concerning the administration of additional funds that were granted to the Prime Minister’s Office to bolster peace-building endeavours in the Karamoja Sub-Region during the fiscal year 2021-2022,” Kamya continues in her summons.
The Ministry of Karamoja Affairs received the letter with inquiry number HQT/CO/186/2023 on January 4, 2024.
Dr. Mary Gorreti Kitutu was unavailable to URN for comment regarding the most recent development in the case, which has been pending since April 2023.
Minister Kitutu’s attorney, Jude Byamukama, has objected to the IGG’s most recent summons, claiming that Kamya and her team are trying to revive investigations at a time when his client is scheduled to go on trial.
“In my opinion, this is a startling violation of the right to due process. Every matter related to the Supplementary Budget was thoroughly examined by the DPP, the CID, the Statehouse Anti-Corruption Unit, and even the Parliament.
Byamukama stated, “The attempt to revive that investigation fully confirms what we have known all along: that Hon. Kitutu is the target of a political witch-hunt.”
Byamukama questioned what judicial system his client—who is already on trial—was subjected to in order for him to participate in a fresh inquiry concerning issues related to the ongoing criminal trial.
You may remember that despite all recipients receiving their iron sheets back, she is accused of stealing public property.
Since the minister is not an accountant, why is it expected of her to have documents? Byamukama enquired.
Kitutu’s attempt to have her trial over the iron sheet affair stayed in the trash until the end of November 2023.
She had requested that her trial be halted by the Anti-Corruption Court. She had disclosed that she had been subjected to torture by Uganda Police Force investigators and security personnel while they were looking into the theft of nine thousand iron sheets meant for Karamoja Community Empowerment.
In August 2023, Dr. Kitutu was charged with the crimes of conspiracy to defraud and loss of public property alongside her brother, Naboya Kitutu Michael, and a senior assistant secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Abaho Joshua.
They refuted the allegations based on allegations that they misappropriated iron sheets intended for Karamoja.
Due to the iron sheet controversy, two additional ministers, Amos Lugolobi and Agnes Nandutu, were detained and sent to Luzira prison on remand.
This month, Kitutu and the co-accused are anticipated to appear in court. On December 20, 2023, she addressed a letter to the President informing him of the distribution of iron sheets under her ministry, which URN has seen.
She and her colleagues Agnes Nandutu and Amos Lugolobi thanked the President in the first paragraph of the letter for “keeping us in cabinet despite intensive negative publicity that was awash in the media for five months since February this year.”
Before continuing, Kitutu stated, “We thank you for the fatherly decision. May God bless you more.”
According to reports, the attorney general gave the order to distribute the iron sheet that is currently being held at the OPM.
In the stores, there were only 86,941 prepainted iron sheets, according to Acting Permanent Secretary Rose Alenga.
Additionally, 10,614 corrugated plain iron sheets totaling 97,555 were available for shipment to Karamoja.
On October 31, the Prime Minister, Robina Nabanja, reportedly met with the commander of the UPDF’s 3rd Division and other Karamoja stakeholders, including RDCs, to decide on the distribution formula for iron sheets.
There were to be 26 iron sheets given to each recipient. The iron sheets had been missed by 415 beneficiaries, most of whom were from Napak. She continued by informing the president that 10,000, 790, and iron sheets were needed.
One billion, four hundred and sixteen million, and seven hundred and forty thousand pounds, she added, would be needed for that.
Absent iron sheets Then Kitutu made an appearance to brief the President on what seemed to be a new controversy involving iron sheets that went missing from the Prime Minister’s office.
Part of the letter to the President reads, but does not include copies to the Prime Minister: “Your Excellency, I have directed the new Permanent Secretary to follow up on how a shortfall of 11,006 iron sheets came out of the OPM stores because this is not part of the 14,500 sheets that were alleged to have been stolen by the Ministers.”
From its sources at OPM and IGG, URN was unable to clarify whether it was the reason Kitutu was being called in as a witness by the IGG.
Kitutu and Associates Express Remorse to Museveni In the last few paragraphs of the six-page letter, Kitutu extends his apology on behalf of Amos Lugolobi and Agnes Nandutu.
“In conclusion, Your Excellency, we are your sons and daughters. In a family, children can make errors, but parents frequently have a window of opportunity for forgiveness.
The letter stated, “As I had previously mentioned along with my colleagues who are facing court, we highly appreciate your leniency for having kept us in cabinet.” Kitutu continues to tell the president how tough it has been for her and how her colleagues have attempted to get a meeting with him, but it has not materialized.
“As the head of state, I would like to apologize on behalf of my colleagues for any mistakes that were made in the iron sheet saga,” she stated.
“Your Excellency, we each have learned a lesson, and we beg your forgiveness.”
She also told the president how expensive it had been for them to go to court.
“And the most disheartening experience we have had as ministers is when the DPP calls the accounting officer and technical officer, who contributed to the issue and caused additional loss of 11,006 iron sheets, as witnesses against us.”
In the end, Kitutu requested that the President order the DPP’s office to withdraw the charges against the defendants and permit political resolution through dialogue.
“We genuinely swear to uphold the NRM agenda of combating corruption and to be patriots at all times.”