The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has sought additional time to respond to an amended application from Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs. Kitutu, facing charges of causing a financial loss of 1.5 billion Shillings, had filed a case against the IGG and the Attorney General. Originally scheduled for a hearing today, developments prompted Kitutu’s legal team, led by Jude Byamukama, to amend the notice of motion.
In the initial application, Kitutu sought an interim order to stop witness summons enforcement. Byamukama explained the request became irrelevant after Kitutu was charged with financial loss allegations. It is claimed that, between February and June 2022, Kitutu, in her role as Minister, failed in peace-building activities in Karamoja, leading to a loss of 1,555,365,000 Shillings. The charges also involve officials from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Byamukama argued that these developments significantly impact the court application, emphasizing the abuse of fair trial. The IGG’s representatives sought a one-week adjournment to respond to the amendments, and the case was postponed to February 1st, 2024.
Kitutu seeks a declaration that the IGG’s actions contravene her right to a fair hearing. She contends that additional criminal proceedings violate her due process. The Minister argues that, despite previous charges related to mismanagement of funds, the IGG initiated parallel investigations, infringing on her rights.
In response, the IGG, Betty Kamya, argues that the charges are distinct and questions Kitutu’s application’s good faith. Kamya suggests rejecting the application with costs, emphasizing the need for redress for the vulnerable people of Karamoja affected by Kitutu’s actions.
Table 1: Charges Against Kitutu and Co-accused
| Date | Charge | Amount (UGX) |
|---|---|---|
| February-June | Financial Loss | 1,555,365,000 |
| 2022 | ||
| April 2023 | Loss of Public Property (Iron Sheets) | Supplementary Funds |
| January 2024 | Financial Loss | To be determined |
Table 2: Timeline of Legal Proceedings
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2023 | Kitutu charged with loss of public property related to iron sheets. |
| January 2024 | Kitutu summoned by IGG, subsequently charged with financial loss. |
| February 1, | Court grants one-week adjournment for IGG to respond to amended notice. |
| 2024 |
Table 3: Legal Arguments
| Kitutu’s Argument | IGG’s Counterargument |
|---|---|
| IGG’s actions violate her right to a fair hearing. | Charges are distinct, and the application lacks good faith. |
| Additional proceedings infringe on her due process. | Application should be rejected with costs. |
