In a major development, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has apprehended six senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister in connection with the ongoing Karamoja iron sheet saga. The arrests come as part of efforts to address corruption allegations surrounding the misappropriation of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
The six individuals who have been arrested include Geoffrey Sseremba, an under secretary, Deogratius Masigazi, the head of the development program department, Barbara Asasira, a principal assistance secretary, Emmy Tony Ameny, an assistant commissioner responsible for programs, Peter Amodoi, a program officer, and Samuel Ofungi, a senior assistant secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister. Munira Ali, the spokesperson for the IGG, confirmed the arrests.
"The suspects were apprehended this morning and will be presented before the Anti-Corruption Court," stated Munira.
These six senior officials will now join the ranks of other implicated individuals, such as Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, her junior Agnes Nandutu, State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoloobi, and Joshua Abaho, a senior assistant secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, who were recently charged in court regarding the same iron sheet scandal. The aforementioned individuals are currently out on bail.
The corruption allegations emerged from the suspected embezzlement of iron sheets intended for the vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region. The problem began when Minister Kitutu wrote an internal memorandum to the undersecretary, requesting the release of 10,000 iron sheets for Moroto.
Upon their release, it was discovered that Kitutu's personal assistant, Joshua Abaho, had taken 1,000 iron sheets for personal use, leaving behind 9,000 that were delivered to Moroto for an official launch presided over by President Museveni.
Subsequently, other ministers and officials involved in the process allegedly distributed the remaining iron sheets among themselves, bypassing their intended beneficiaries in Karamoja.
The arrest of these high-ranking officials reflects a firm commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability within the government. The Anti-Corruption Court will now oversee the proceedings related to the iron sheet scandal, where the accused will have an opportunity to present their defense.
The actions taken by the IGG demonstrate the determination to address corruption and safeguard public resources intended for the welfare of the Ugandan people.
