Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Karamoja Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament for Manafwa District, is slated to attend a court session at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala today, March 19, 2024. The charges against her allege that she caused a financial loss of 1.5 billion Ugandan shillings to the Government.
The Inspector General of Government (IGG) asserts that Kitutu’s failure to conduct various peace-building activities in Karamoja led to this loss.
Kitutu is expected to appear alongside other accused individuals, including interdicted Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) undersecretary finance and administration Geoffrey Sseremba, under-secretary pacification and development program Deogratius Masagazi, and accountant Tracy Atuhirwe before senior principal magistrate grade one Abert Asiimwe.
During a previous court session, criminal summons were issued against Kitutu in relation to these charges. The allegations stem from transactions occurring between June 2022 and January 2023, distinct from another case involving transactions from February to June 2022.
Kitutu and her co-accused face charges of corruption, as per Section 2 (h) and 26 of the relevant Act. If convicted, Kitutu could face a maximum sentence of 14 years for causing financial loss and 10 years for corruption.
The prosecution contends that between February and June 2022, while serving as Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Kitutu neglected to carry out peace-building activities in Karamoja, foreseeing or having reason to believe that this neglect would lead to a financial loss of 1.5 billion Ugandan shillings to the Government.
This latest charge adds to Kitutu’s existing legal battles, including accusations of misappropriating public property by diverting iron sheets meant for Karamoja. She is currently on trial at the Anti-Corruption Court alongside her brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, and personal assistant Joshua Abaho. Naboya faces allegations of receiving stolen property, while Abaho is accused of corruption.
The prosecution alleges that between June 2022 and January 2023, Kitutu, at the OPM stores in Namanve, caused the loss of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets gauge 28, intended for public use. Additionally, she is accused of diverting 5,500 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 from their intended purpose, for personal and third-party benefit, with knowledge of the potential loss to public property.
Summary of Accusations Against Mary Goretti Kitutu:
| Allegation | Timeframe | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to conduct peace-building activities | February – June 2022 | Neglected duties as Minister for Karamoja Affairs, leading to a predicted loss of 1.5 billion Ugandan shillings |
| Misappropriation of iron sheets | June 2022 – January 2023 | Diverted 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets gauge 28 from intended public use and diverted 5,500 iron sheets for personal and third-party benefit |
