Minister Amos Lugoloobi Sent to Luzira

Amos Lugoloobi, the State Minister for Finance, has been remanded to Luzira Prison until April 20 by the the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo.

Lugoloobi was on Monday afternoon arraigned before court and charged with two counts of dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

He was arrested on Friday and detained at Kira division police in Wakiso district in connection with the mismanagement of iron sheets meant for vulnerable people in Karamoja.

Prosecution alleges that between July 14, 2022 and February 28 2023 and February, 1, 2023 and March, 16, 2023 at the Office of the Prime Minister stores in Namanve at different places in Matugga and Kayunga, Lugoloobi, dealt with government property including 700 pre-painted iron sheets having reason to believe that they  were acquired as result of loss of public property under section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

The presiding magistrate argued that he needed to study all the evidence produced by the state and the accused’s lawyers before giving his verdict on the minister’s bail.

Last week, the Minister for Karamoja, Mary Goretti Kitutu, was charged over corruption and causing government loss over the iron sheets scandal.

President Yoweri Museveni has said that all those who used the iron sheets meant for Karamoja to benefit their constituents should return them or pay their equivalent in cash.

He added that those who used them for personal gains should have charges preferred against them.