The attempt by Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, to halt her prosecution in a case involving the mismanagement of 1.5 billion shillings has been firmly dismissed at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. The court, led by Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga, ruled against Kitutu’s application, stating a lack of connection between the charges she faces and the alleged mismanagement of funds.
Kitutu, who also serves as the Woman Member of Parliament for Manafwa district, stands accused of causing a loss of 1.5 billion shillings to the government due to her purported failure to execute various peace-building activities in the Karamoja region.
Judge Kajuga’s decision, delivered on Monday, February 19, 2024, emphasized the disparity in timing between the transactions related to the diversion of iron sheets and the alleged mismanagement case. The court clarified that the iron sheets incident occurred between June 2022 and January 2023, while the transactions in the mismanagement case took place between February and June 2022.
“It has not been established how the prosecution in the iron sheets case will impede the applicant’s rights in the 1.5 billion mismanagement case,” noted Judge Kajuga. She highlighted the distinct nature of the offenses and emphasized that they did not stem from the same transactions.
Kitutu faces serious charges alongside several individuals, including Geoffrey Sseremba, an interdicted official from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Deogratius Masagazi, and Tracy Atuhirwe. The charges, ranging from corruption to causing financial loss to the government, carry significant penalties upon conviction.
The prosecution alleges that Kitutu, during her tenure as Minister for Karamoja Affairs between February and June 2022, neglected to carry out essential peace-building activities, leading to the substantial financial loss of 1.5 billion shillings to the government.
This latest legal battle adds to Kitutu’s existing troubles, as she is already embroiled in a separate case related to the diversion of iron sheets intended for Karamoja. Alongside her brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, and personal assistant Joshua Abaho, she faces allegations of receiving stolen property and corruption.
According to the prosecution, Kitutu stands accused of causing the loss of public property by diverting thousands of pre-painted iron sheets from their intended purpose, thereby benefiting herself and third parties. These actions allegedly occurred between June 2022 and January 2023 at the OPM stores in Namanve.
The gravity of the charges and the persistence of legal proceedings against Kitutu underscore the depth of corruption allegations within governmental circles. The failure of her attempt to block trial proceedings serves as a stark reminder of the accountability demanded from public officials entrusted with managing public funds and resources.
