The Inspector General of Government Ms Beti Kamya withdrawn corruption charges filed against three officials from the office of the Prime Minister.
The three, who were co-accused with Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mary Goretti Kitutu, were previously accused of causing a financial loss worth 1.5 billion to the government after mismanaging funds meant for peacekeeping activities in Karamoja.
These are Geoffrey Sseremba, the Accounting Officer; Deogratius Masagazi, the Undersecretary Head of Department Pacification and Development Programme; and Tracy Atuhirwe, an accountant. The withdrawal form leaves Minister Kitutu alone to face the charges of causing financial loss of more than shs 1.5 billion to the government
Daisy Acio, an Inspectorate Officer from the IG tendered a letter before Acting Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Abert Asiimwe, discontinuing proceedings against the trio. The charges were amended, and Kitutu remained as the only suspect on the charge sheet.
The IG claims that between February and June 2022, while serving as Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Kitutu failed to conduct various peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region, resulting in a financial loss of Shillings 1.5 billion to the government.
The Minister has since appealed against the decision arguing that her role as a Minister involves policy-making rather than direct implementation, and she maintains that she was not directly involved in the technical aspects of the activities in question.
Jude Byamukama, Kitutu’s lawyer requested a three-week adjournment, citing her COVID-19 diagnosis and isolation since March 12th, 2024. The case has been adjourned to April 30th, 2024, for Kitutu’s prosecution, while her co-accused were discharged.
