Minister Kitutu to spend Easter Holiday in Luzira

The Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mary Kitutu, 61, was on Thursday charged with two counts of causing loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud.

She appeared before the Anti corruption court at 12:00 pm and was read to the charges alongside he co-accused who include her brother, Naboya Kitutu Micheal, 52, and Joushua Abaho, 46, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Karamoja Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The co accused including Abaho and Naboya were separately charged with corruption contrary to section 2(c) and 26(I)of the Anti corruption Act 2009 and receiving stolen property contrary to section 314 (1) of the penal code Act cap 120, respectively.

Minister Kitutu to spend Easter Holiday in Luzira

Court heard that during the month of June 2022 and January 2023 at the office stores of the Prime minister in Namanve, Mukono, Kitutu also an MP Manafwa District and a resident of Kalungu , Bunga , Makindye Division caused the loss of public property in form of 9000 pre painted iron sheets of gauge 28 by diverting them from the intended purpose to benefit the Karamoja Community Empowerment program to third parties.

The same court heard that between June 2022 and January 2023, at the OPM stores Namanve, Mukono District, Abaho Joshua diverted 9000 iron sheets of gauge 28 belonging to the State for purposes unrelated to those for which they were intended to benefit.

Prosecution also stated that between June 2022 and January 2023,at Situmi village, Bukhawekha sub county,Namisindwa District, Naboya received 100 pre coated iron sheets of gauge 28 marked office of prime minister -Uganda.

The Minister has pleaded not guilty to all charges. She has been remanded to Luzira until April 12 , 2023.

Kitutu presented three sureties to court including husband and businessman Micheal Kitutu and Mbale Mp Wambede and a diplomat Simon Mulongo. Her lawyers also presented a land title as security for her bail.

The lawyers pleaded with court to grant her bail on grounds that she has a heart condition and backed their argument with documents from Mulago Referral Hospital.

However, the presiding judge Joan Aciro, declined to grant her bail because the court needed more time to ascertain documents presented before her.

Minister Kitutu to spend Easter Holiday in Luzira