Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, along with three others, has been charged afresh in connection with the alleged causing of a financial loss of over Shs1.5 billion to the government. The minister is jointly charged with Geoffrey Sseremba, the Secretary/Accounting Officer, Masagazi Deogratius, the Head of the Department, Pacification and Development Program, and Tracy Atuhirwe, the Acting head of Accounts, all from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The amended charge sheet, dropped five officials and maintained two, introducing Minister Kitutu and the Head of Accounts, Ms. Atuhirwe. The Anti-Corruption Court has issued criminal summons for the minister and Ms. Atuhire to appear on February 29.
Under the charge of causing financial loss, the Inspectorate of Government alleges that Minister Kitutu failed to conduct various peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region, causing a loss of over Shs1.5 billion to the government. The charges also include corruption allegations against Mr. Sseremba and Mr. Masagazi for authorizing a total cash payment of over Shs2.2 billion to various staff within the Office of the Prime Minister, while Ms. Atuhirwe is accused of neglecting her duty as Acting Head of Accounts, failing to manage and ensure accountability for funds meant for peacebuilding activities in Karamojo sub-region.
This new charge comes while the Director of Public Prosecutions is already prosecuting Minister Kitutu in connection with the alleged diversion of 14,500 iron sheets intended for vulnerable people in Karamoja, to which she has pleaded not guilty.
