The hearing of finance state minister Amos Lugoloobi’s case, accused of diverting iron sheets intended for the Karamoja sub-region, will resume tomorrow at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. Lugoloobi, who also serves as the Ntenjeru North MP, is charged with two counts of dealing with suspect property, contrary to Section 21A of the Anti-Corruption Act. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
The case is being handled by High Court Judge Margaret Tibulya, with Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya prosecuting and lawyer Tonny Tumukunde defending Lugoloobi.
The prosecution alleges that between July 14, 2022, and February 28, 2023, Lugoloobi dealt with 400 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister” at various locations, including the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve, Mukono district, and in Matugga, Wakiso district, and Ntenjeru North Constituency in Kayunga district. These sheets were allegedly acquired through the loss of public property, in violation of Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
A second count alleges that between February 1, 2023, and March 16, 2023, Lugoloobi dealt with 300 more iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister” under similar circumstances.
Evidence presented against Lugoloobi includes reports that he received a total of 600 iron sheets in two batches of 300 each. The first batch was received on July 15, 2022, under voucher number 8058, signed for by his personal assistant, John Allan Damulira, and transported using car registration number UBG430S. The second batch was received on February 1, 2023, from the Karamoja affairs ministry under voucher number 8,527.
Exclusive photos accessed by the media show the iron sheets in Lugoloobi’s cow shed, clearly labelled “Office of the Prime Minister-Uganda Kiboko pre-coated sheet PPG Gauge 28.” On February 28, 2023, Lugoloobi reportedly decided to de-roof the structure, but the State House Anti-Corruption Unit raided his home the same day and seized the iron sheets.
