Court refuses bail for Ugandan Cabinet minister

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - A Ugandan anti-corruption court denied bail for a second time Wednesday to a cabinet minister who is facing charges related to loss of public property, corruption and conspiracy to defraud the government.

Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro denied a request for release after Mary Goretti Kitutu, 60, spent Easter weekend in prison.

Kitutu had asked the court last week for release on bail, citing ill health and an advanced age.

She is accused of swindling thousands of metal roofing sheets meant for the vulnerable population in the northeastern Karamoja region where she is the minister.

The region remains the least socially and economically developed with 61% living in poverty.

Several senior government officials, including the vice president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker are alleged to have received some of the stolen metal sheets.

Police said earlier this week that more files related to the scandal had been sent to prosecutors and indictments may follow.

President Yoweri Museveni said those who took the corrugated iron must return them or pay the cash equivalent.