Another Ugandan minister remanded in ‘mabati’ scandal

Uganda has remanded to prison another minister in the mabati (iron sheets scandal that saw Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu taken intocustody.

State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi has been remanded to Luzira Prison until April 20, when he will be arraigned following his arrest over the Karamoja iron sheets scandal.

He was arrested on Friday over the mismanagement of iron sheets meant for the Karachunas (youth warriors in Karamoja.

Some 14,500 iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people in Karamoja are reported to have been diverted fraudulently by government officials.

Read:Minister in Uganda ‘mabati’ scandal denied bail

Mr Lugoloobi is alleged to have been on his way to Entebbe International Airport when security operatives intercepted him and detained him at Kira Division Police Station until he was brought to court on Monday.

He was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court and charged with two counts of dealing with suspect property contrary to the anti-graft law.

State Minister for planning, Amos Lugoloobi reacts in the dock during proceedings at Ant-Corruption Court in Kampala where he appeared on April 17, 2023 following his arrest on April April 14 over Karamoja iron sheets scandal. #MonitorUpdates📸 @abubakerlubowa pic.twitter.com/aOIy7dl1MP

— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor April 17, 2023

The State prosecution said that Mr Lugoloobi, on July 14, 2022, and February 2023, at OPM Stores in Namanve in Mukono District and at different places in Matugga, Wakiso District and Ntenjeru North Constituency in Kayunga District, dealt with government property, to wit; 400 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister”, believed to have been acquired as a result of loss of public property, an offence under section 10(1 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Also read:Residents hold protest over Lugoloobi arrest

In the second count, the prosecution said Mr Lugoloobi, between February 1, 2023, and March 16, 2023, at OPM Stores in Namanve and at different places in Matugga, Wakiso District and Ntenjeru Constituency, Kayunga District, he handled suspect property, that is, 300 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister”.

The minister pleaded not guilty to both counts.

His attempt to file for bail suffered a blow when the magistrate said he needed more time to peruse the documents his lawyers had submitted to the court.

WATCH: State Minister for planning, Amos Lugoloobi pleads not guilty to charges against him before Anti-corruption Court in Kampala following his arrest over Karamoja iron sheets scandal#MonitorUpdates📹 @abubakerlubowa pic.twitter.com/vIwRi7oIrK

— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor April 17, 2023

Mr Lugoloobi, who is also the Ntenjeru North County MP, reportedly received 600 iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people in Karamoja.

Goat shed roofing

He was one of the ministers who last Friday returned iron sheets to the Office of the Prime Minister in Namanve, following President Yoweri Museveni’s orders to his cabinet to take back the iron sheets or pay in cash the equivalent.

In February, the minister admitted to using some of the iron sheets to roof a shed for his goats on his farm in Misanga Village, Bbaale Sub-county in Kayunga District.

He later removed them after a public outcry over the alleged diversion of the iron sheets.

“I wish to submit that the accused is a Member of Parliament. He doesn’t only have responsibilities to his family but to the country as a whole. If he’s denied bail, his family, constituency and ministry will be affected”–Lugoloobi’s lawyer#MonitorUpdates 📸 @abubakerlubowa pic.twitter.com/RNkRuwzH6K

— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor April 17, 2023

Mr Lugoloobi is the second minister to be arrested over the mismanagement of the building materials.

Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, who is at the centre of the scandal, was last Friday released on a cash bail of Ush10 million (about $2,700 after spending a week in Luzira prison.