President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has used his long arm to direct the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) to probe theft of iron sheets that were meant for the vulnerable people in Karamoja sub region.
The iron sheets were distributed through the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Goretti Kitutu.
Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson says that President ordered the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to institute a thorough and expeditious investigation that will see all implicated Ministers prosecuted.
On addressing the media on Monday at the police headquarters in Naguru, Fred Enanga said the DPP has directed the CID and State House Anti Corruption Unit to carry out a joint investigation.
He adds that the security forces will work with other agencies already carrying out investigations to expand inquiries into the misappropriation of relief items especially the iron sheets.
“The president directed for an expeditious inquiry into the allegations and this followed increased complaints from the intended beneficiaries and other concerned citizens, We shall interact with all concerned personalities and liaise with sister agencies like the IGG and Parliament,” Enanga said.
On Sunday, the Inspector General of Government,(IGG), Beti Olive Kamya stated that her office had written to concerned cabinet Ministers including the Vice President, Prime Minister and others to give their statements on the matter.
She also stated that the summons would take effect starting this week but expand investigations to doing a lifestyle audit on all those involved.
“I have already written to all of them those named in the papers and those whose names were found in the distribution stores of the OPM, from the Vice President to Prime Minister and all the ministers, they will explain their part. If there is reason and evidence to prosecute, or force someone to refund or confiscate property for those unable to explain. We can even do a lifestyle audit where necessary,” Kamya said.
All started in 2022, when Parliament allocated Shs 39 billion supplementary budget to purchase 100,000 roofing iron sheets and other relief items for the needy in Karamoja sub region.
As stated by the officials at OPM- Office of the Prime Minister, the Karamoja line Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, requisitioned for 12,200 iron sheets from the stores to distribute to “vulnerable groups” during her “mobilization” drives in Karamoja.
Nevertheless, officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit discovered the same iron sheets in Manafwa, being sold by Kitutu’s brother and mother.
Time after, a host of other ministers including Rebecca Kadaga, the the First Deputy Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija among others affirmed receiving iron sheets they never requested for. Some have since justified it saying they have already distributed the iron sheets to needy groups in their own respective constituencies.
Last week, Kitutu issued a public apology and admitted that the distribution process was flawed with irregularities. How ever some ministers mainly those of the opposition want Kitutu to quit her position.
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