Karamoja Minister Denied Bail over Unsubstantial Sureties

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo has denied bail to Karamoja Affairs, Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, who is accused of swindling iron sheets meant for the vulnerable in the Karamoja sub-region, over unsubstantial sureties.

Through her lawyers led by Micheal Wamasebu John Musiime, and Jude Byamukama, Kitutu last week asked the court to release her on bail citing ill health, advanced age, having a fixed place of abode within the court’s jurisdiction as well as surrendering two titles for land in Wakiso district.

The minister also presented her husband, Micheal George Kitutu, Uganda’s special envoy to Africa Union, Amb. Simon Mulongo, Seth Wambede, the MP for Mbale City Northern Division and Dr Joel Wadawa, a plastic surgeon at Kiruddu Hospital.

However, the court’s chief magistrate Joan Aciro ruled that only one out of the four sureties for the minister are substantial enough to enable her to get released on bail.

She said three of Kitutu’s sureties, including her husband, George Kitutu failed to show proof of financial capacity to stand surety in such a case.

The case has been adjourned to Friday (April 14), when the said sureties are expected to present their credentials in order for the court to determine whether to grant the minister bail or not.

The minister jointly with her younger brother Michael Naboya Kitutu and Mr Joshua Abaho, the senior assistant secretary in the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister, is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people in Karamoja.

They face two counts of loss of public property and one count of conspiracy to defraud.