By Leilah Bbaale
State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoloobi has been Remanded to Luzira Prison for dealing in suspected stolen property in relation to the Karamoja iron sheets.
The charges arise from his alleged involvement in the diversion of 700 pieces of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people under the Karamoja Community Empowerment Program.
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala heard that Lugoloobi, while at the office of the Prime Minister Stores in Namanve, Mukono District and at different places in Matugga, Wakiso and Ntejeru North in Kayunga District dealt with government property containing 700 pre-painted iron sheets, which he later used for roofing his personal projects.
The said iron sheets were obtained in two phases; one containing 400 iron sheets that were taken between July 14, 2022, and February 2023, and another batch of 300 iron sheets obtained between February 16, 2023, and March 16, 2023. He denied the charges.
Prosecution led by State Attorneys Stanley Moses Baine, David Kisamunyu, Jonathan Muwaganya and Safina Lule informed the court that the investigations in this matter are still ongoing. Baine asked for an adjournment.
The Minister’s lawyers led by John Isabirye and Tonny Tumukunde later moved on to apply for bail saying that the Prosecution has informed the court that they are not ready for trial and have not indicated how much time they need. Isabirye told that court that Lugoloobi is a Member of Parliament and a Minister with a fixed place of abode in Makindye Sabagabo.
He said he has substantial sureties namely: Mariam Naigaga, the Namutumba District Member of Parliament representing, James Kakooza, a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly, Dr Kefa Kiwanuka, a Member of Parliament from Kiboga East, Paul Mugamba Ssempwa, Uganda’s former Ambassador to Brazil, Martin Ssekajja, the Head of Operations at Uganda Security Printing Company, Joseph Muwavala, the Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom and the Executive Director of National Planning Authority and Businessman Kalisa Moses Karangwa.
The sureties presented documents including introduction letters from their respective Local Councils’, bank statements and land titles to demonstrate to the court that they have the financial ability to pay monies worth the charges against Lugoloobi in case he absconds from the trial. Lugoloobi’s other lawyer Tonny Tumukunde presented a medical report from the Uganda Heart Institute indicating that Lugoloobi is hypertensive, has type two diabetes, Dislypedemia, and also suffers from coronary heart disease for which he got surgery in July 2022.
Tumukunde also submitted a report by a Police Doctor Julius Muhwezi who, over the weekend also made a report corroborating the diseases confirmed by the Uganda Heart Institute. He added that the Minister suffers from Asthma on top of all the other ailments, before displaying a collection of tablets which the Minister swallows on a daily basis
But the application was opposed by the Prosecution saying that inquiries in the case are in advanced stages and can be completed within the shortest period of time. Baine said Lugoloobi is a Minister and Member of Parliament therefore a very influential person who is capable of interfering with the investigations.
