A minister at the center of the damaging investigation refused yesterday to respond to MPs’ questions under oath, a day after police claimed to have finished their investigations into the multi-billion Karamoja iron sheets scandal, in which senior government officials have been named.
Mary Goretti Kitutu, the minister for Karamoja affairs, was then turned over to police Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) agents to record a statement as a parallel ongoing investigation by the House Committee on Presidential Affairs picked up speed.
Separately, the committee meeting with Speaker Anita Among was postponed and will be rescheduled, according to Ms. Jesca Ababiku, chair of the committee, who spoke to Daily Monitor last night.
There have been accusations against Ms. Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, 22 ministers, 31 MPs, and 13 district chief administrative officers. Depending on how the Directorate of Public Prosecutions interprets the police findings, they might end up in court.
We will restructure our program and determine when to interact with other beneficiaries because today the Speaker was occupied with visitors, she said.
Ms. Among, who has previously denied any wrongdoing, purchased 500 iron sheets a few weeks ago to be delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Accusations that the Karamoja minister improperly distributed to her coworkers thousands of iron sheets intended to assist in resettling Karimojong warriors (Karachuna) as part of the government’s efforts to improve livelihoods alongside its disarmament program in the troubled Karamoja subregion were met with silence by the minister.
Last week, she had ignored two previous invitations to testify before the committee.
The minister was coy in her remarks while hiding her face. tersely stating that she did not accept the first invitation because she was ill, and that she did not accept the second invitation because she was out of town and did not receive the WhatsApp message in time.
Ms. Kitutu merely stated, “I don’t know and don’t have the information,” in response to Ms. Ababiku’s inquiry regarding her relatives’ role in the tale.
According to other reports, her mother, brother, and nephew were all detained for allegedly stealing the iron sheets.
Also, Ms. Kitutu declined to comment on recent allegations made by accused ministers that they obtained iron sheets from her without asking for them. Ms. Kitutu stated, “I asked the accounting officer and [I am] still waiting for the list.”
The lawmakers were irritated by her succinct remarks and determined that the minister should be sworn in. She emphasized that she didn’t have an answer as she declined to take the oath.
Rule 212 (1) of the House Rules of Procedure states that a committee has the authority to order a witness to under oath.
While under oath, witnesses are required to tell the truth, otherwise they may face criminal sanctions.
Ms. Kitutu has been accused of diverting relief items, including iron sheets, meant for Karamoja to unintended beneficiaries.
Ms. Ababiku, who refused to take the oath, instructed Kitutu to record a statement with Parliament’s CID office.
The committee later met with some of the alleged non-intended beneficiaries, including several government officials named in an internal memo written by Kitutu.
Some of the officials, including the Government Chief Whip and Karamoja Affairs junior minister, denied any involvement in the mismanagement of the iron sheets.
The committee’s investigation is nearing its end, and Ms. Ababiku emphasized the importance of hearing everyone’s side of the story before making the final report.
According to the Inspectorate of Government’s spokesperson, 22 ministers, 31 Members of Parliament, and 13 Chief Administrative Officers have explained their position regarding the iron sheets.
IGG’s list of beneficiaries
1. Jessica Alupo (Vice President)
2. Anita Among (Speaker of Parliament)
3. Robinah Nabbanja (Prime Minister)
4. Rebecca Kadaga (First Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for East African Affairs)
5. Rukia Isanga Nakadama (Second Deputy Prime Minister/Minister without Portfolio)
6. Matia Kasaija (Finance Minister)
7. Judith Nabakooba (Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development)
8. Mary Kitutu Goretti (Minister for Karamoja Affairs)
9. Dennis Hamson Obua (Government Chief Whip)
10. Rose Lilly Akello (Minister for Ethics and Integrity)
11. Grace Kwiyucwiny (Minister of State for Northern Uganda)
12. Agnes Nandutu (Minister of State for Karamoja)
13. Jennifer Namuyangu (Minsiter of State for Bunyoro
14. Amos Lugoloobi (Minister of State for Finance (Planning)
15. Esther Anyakun (State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness)
16. Alice Kaboyo (State Minister for Luweero/Rwenzori)
17. Grace Mary Mugasa (State Minister for Public Service)
18. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga (State Minister for Agriculture)
19. Moriku Kaducu (State Minister for Primary Education)
20. Henry Musasizi (State Minister for Finance (General Duties)
21. Aisha Sekindi (Minister of State for Water)
22. Fred Byamukama (Minister of State for Transport)
23. Jacob Oboth-Oboth (Minister of State for Defence)
24. Obiga Kania (MP, Terego East County, Terego)
25. Joab Businge (MP, Masindi Municipality)
26. Pius Wakabi (MP, Bugahya County, Hoima District)
27. Stephen Aseera (MP Bugangazi East County)
28. Jennifer Mbabazi (District Woman MP, Kagadi)
29. Akiiki Asiimwe (District Woman MP, Masindi)
30. Kenneth Kiiza (MP Bujenje County, Masindi)
31. Aled Akugizibwe (MP Buruli County Masindi)
32. Jacob Karubanga (MP, Kibanda South, Kiryandongo)
33. Barnabas Tinkasimire (MP, Buyaga West, Kagadi)
34. Harriet Businge (District Woman MP, Hoima)
35. David Karubanga (MP, Kigorobya County, Hoima)
36. Noeline Kisembo (District Woman MP, Kibaale)
37. Josephat Tumwesigye (MP, Bugangazi South Kakumiro)
38. Emely Kugonza (MP, Buyanja East County, Kibaale)
39. Linos Ngompek (MP, Kibanda North, Kiryandongo)
40. Flora Natumanya (District Woman MP, Kikuube)
41. Eric Musana (MP, Buyaga East County, Kagadi)
42. Joseph Ruyonga (MP, Hoima West Division, Hoima City)
43. Hellen Kahunde (District Woman MP, Kiryandongo)
44. Norah Bigirwa (District Woman MP, Buliisa)
45. Aisha Black Agaba (MP, Bugangaizi East)
46. Dr Patrick Isingoma (MP, Hoima East Division)
47. Agnes Kirabo (Youth MP Central Region)
48. Francis Twinomujuni (MP, Buhaguzi County, Kikuube)
49. Julius Maganda (Unclear0
50. Asinansi Nyakato (District Woman MP, Hoima City)
51. Paul Omara (MP, Otuke County)
52. Ruth Mold Lemetia (Unclear)
53. Cissy Namujju (District Woman MP, Lwengo)
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