Iron Sheets Scandal: Minister Lugolobi Granted Cash Bail Of Shs 10 Million By The Anti-Corruption Court

State Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Amos Lugolobi has been granted a cash bail of Ugx10m by the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo.

The Minister is accused of various offenses related to the diversion and mismanagement of the Karamoja iron sheets.

On Thursday afternoon the acting Principal Senior Grade One Magistrate, Ebert Asiimwe who presided over the court session asked Minister Lugolobi to surrender the original title of one of his pieces of land and cautioned him against interfering with prosecution witnesses as well as leaving the country without permission.

Also Read: Minister Nandutu Remanded To Luzira Prison Over Karamoja Iron Sheets Mismanagement

He was also ordered to surrender his diplomatic passport while his seven sureties were asked to pay each UGX 100 million in non-cash after court found them substantial enough for the minister’s release.

The minister’s sureties included Namutumba Woman MP Hon Mariam Naigaga, EALA MP Hon James Kakooza, Kiboga East MP Dr. Kefa Kiwanuka, Moses Kalangwa, the NRM Chairperson in Kayunga district and a prominent businessman.  Mr. Paul Mugambwa Sempa, a former ambassador of Uganda to Brazil; Mr. Martin Ssekaja, Head of Operations at Uganda Security Printing Company and Dr. Joseph Muvawaala, the executive director of National Planning Authority/Busoga Kingdom prime minister.

“Failure to comply with the bail terms will lead to automatic cancellation of the bail,” the magistrate ruled before adjourning the case to June 2, 2023, when he’s expected to return to court.

The release of Lugolobi comes a day after Anti-Corruption Court remanded another suspect in this scandal, Agnes Nandutu, the Women Member of Parliament for Bududa district.

The Anti-Corruption Court grade one magistrate, Esther Asiimwe, said she could not hear her bail application following her committal thus committing her to high court.