Lugolobi is a prominent political figure in Uganda and his arrest has sent shockwaves through the country. It is unclear at this time what charges, if any, have been brought against him.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Amos Lugolobi, the State Minister for Finance and Planning in Uganda, has been arrested and is currently being held at Kira Road Police Station. The news was first reported by Olivia M Komugisha, a journalist at NTV Uganda, via a tweet.
State minister for finance and planning Amos Lugolobi has been arrested. #NTVNews
— Olivia M Komugisha (Small Goddess) (@KomugishaOlivia) April 14, 2023
As of now, details of the reasons for his arrest have not been released. It is unclear whether the arrest is related to Lugolobi’s ministerial duties or any other matter.
However, sources have reported that Lugolobi may be linked to the ongoing scandal involving the distribution of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Sub-region.
It is alleged that he received 600 iron sheets that were meant for vulnerable people in the region as part of relief materials procured by the government through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
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His arrest comes after directives from President Museveni to arrest and hold accountable those involved in the scandal. The president also ordered that those who took the iron sheets should refund them in monetary value, and those found guilty of using them for personal gain will face political action.
DPP sanctions charges against Uganda’s State Minister for Finance and Planning
In a shocking turn of events, Uganda’s State Minister for Finance and Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, has been arrested and detained at Kira Division on charges of theft and diversion of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja region.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has already sanctioned charges against him, according to the police spokesperson, Fred Enanga.
“Following the ongoing investigations into the alleged theft and diversion of Iron sheets meant for the Karamoja region, the office of the DPP has sanctioned criminal charges against Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development. As a result, he has been arrested and detained at Kira Division, pending court. More details to follow,”
Iron Sheet Scandal: The Second Minister in President Museveni’s Cabinet to be arrested
Lugoloobi becomes the second minister in President Museveni’s cabinet to be arrested over the Karamoja iron sheets scandal. Up to 22 ministers, 31 MPs, and 13 district administrative officers have been implicated in the scandal.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja have also been implicated.
Admission of guilt
Mr Lugoloobi admitted in February this year that he had used some of the G28 corrugated pre-painted iron sheets he received to roof a shed for his goats on his farm located in Misanga Village, Bbaale Sub-county in Kayunga District.
“I have realised that these iron sheets are evil and I no longer need them. Let me remove it so that I buy other iron sheets and re-roof my shed so that no one can lay claim that I owe them anything on my property,”
Return of Consignment
The arrest happened just hours after he returned part of the consignment he received to the Office the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve.
Mary Gorretti Kitutu, the Karamoja Affairs Minister, is the first suspect to be formally charged
Last Thursday, Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Karamoja Affairs Minister, became the first suspect to be formally charged in court and remanded on charges of conspiracy to defraud and causing loss of public property.
She was released on bail after spending eight days in custody. Her younger brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, was also granted a cash bail of Shs3 million during the Friday court proceedings.
Public Outcry
The sheets of corrugated iron roofing were earmarked for low-cost housing in Karamoja, an underdeveloped and restive region in northwest Uganda bordering Kenya and South Sudan.
The scandal has caused significant public outcry across the country where government corruption is endemic. More details to follow as the case progresses.
