Lugoloobi laments 40 years of reputation damage over iron sheets scandal
State Minister for planning, Amos Lugoloobi reacts in the dock during proceedings at Ant-Corruption Court in Kampala where he appeared on April 17, 2023 following his arrest on April April 14 over Karamoja iron sheets scandal. PHOTO/ ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Mr Lugoloobi described the situation as painful and mentally distressing.
The State Minister for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Mr Amos Lugoloobi, has expressed deep regret over the damage to his 40-year reputation caused by allegations surrounding a portion of the 600 iron sheets intended for vulnerable people in Karamoja.
While appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Justice Jane Kajuga, during the conclusion of his defense, Mr Lugoloobi described the situation as painful and mentally distressing. He revealed his shock at learning that the iron sheets distributed to him and several others, including ministries and members of parliament, did not belong to them.
“I have built my name and reputation since 1986, when the ruling government first came into power. It pains me that my reputation is being tarnished over 600 iron sheets, which are all over the media and the public, despite the fact that I returned them,” Mr Lugoloobi told the court.
The court also learned that the soft-spoken minister returned the iron sheets following directives from the President, who ordered all individuals who had received the sheets to return them in their original form or replace them.
Through his lawyers, Mr Lugoloobi presented several letters from the office of the Prime Minister, including those signed by Mr Geoffrey Sseremba, the Undersecretary. These letters were addressed to MM Integrated Limited and concerned a request by Mr Lugoloobi for iron sheets from their company.
One of the letters from Mr Sseremba acknowledged receipt of the iron sheets and informed the minister that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), through affirmative action, disaster relief, and preparedness, was providing support to those in need. His constituency was listed as one of the beneficiaries.
“In his letters, Mr Sseremba indicated that the office had received clearance to distribute the iron sheets and present the beneficiaries and households in the Ntejeru North Constituency for the Financial Year 2022/2023. Nowhere in these letters was it stated that the iron sheets were meant for Karamoja, nor was it mentioned that the sheets had been improperly acquired,” Mr Lugoloobi told the court.
When asked by his lawyer whether he knew about the ongoing investigations into the iron sheets or the possibility of prosecution, Mr Lugoloobi responded that he was unaware that the iron sheets were obtained through any illegal means. He had received the sheets through his personal assistant and distributed them to communities within his constituency.
Mr Lugoloobi also stated that he had no reason to believe the iron sheets were obtained illegally, as they had been provided by the OPM, a government body responsible for pacification, relief, disaster response, and affirmative action.
The court further heard that while Kayunga was not a beneficiary of the Karamoja project, it was one of the beneficiaries of the OPM's affirmative action.
Mr Lugoloobi, who faces charges of dealing with suspect property, told the court that he intends to present 14 witnesses in his defense.
The trial judge adjourned the case to May 27 for the state to cross-examine Mr Lugoloobi.
