Court opens hearing of Minister Lugoloobi’s iron sheets case

By Elizabeth Ankunda

09^th Nov 2023

The hearing of the case in which State Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi is implicated in the diversion of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja has today started at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.

Lugoloobi has appeared before the Anti Corruption Court Judge Margaret Tibulya for further cross examination in his matter.

Hearing today has commenced with one prosecution witness Fredrick Kalema the senior inventory management officer in the Office of the Prime minister who has told court that during the FY 2021/2022 the office of the Prime minister received 16014 pieces of non coloured iron sheets and 10,000 pieces of pre-painted iron sheets from MM integrated steel limited.

In the FY 2022_2023 they again received more 85044 pieces of pre-painted iron sheets from roofing group in August 2022 under two goods received notes, endorsed and stamped by OPM office.

Kalema testified that these 10000 pre-painted iron sheets were received in April 2022 by the Assistant inventory management officer Charles Musisi. On 10th June 2022,he received a written Authority from the accounting officer to release 10000 iron sheets to Joshua Abaho the senior Assistant secretary to the minister of Karamoja Affairs.

He added that 1000 pieces were released for the launch presided over by president Museveni in Moroto and 9000 pieces of iron sheets were released for distribution to 15 other beneficiaries who includes: Amos Lugoloobi, Mary Gorreti kitutu, Matia kasaija among others.

According to Kalema, when he was doing store check up in December 2022 he noticed from the transactions note that only 1000 iron sheets were delivered in karamoja and on inquirey why 9000 iron sheets were not distributed to other beneficiaries, he was told that the distributions were on the directives of Joshua Abaho the senior Assistant to the minister for karamoja Afairs besides other orders from the OPM under secretary in charge of Finance Geoffrey Sseremba  to release 12200 piences of iron sheets that were to be distributed among others; the Finance Minister Matia kasaija and Joyce Monica kaducu .

The trial is adjourned to tomorrow for more witnesses to testify.

END