Uganda jails 2nd minister for corruption in 2 weeks

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance Planning Amos Lugoloobi has been sent to jail on Monday for misappropriating iron sheets meant for disadvantaged people in the northeastern region of Karamoja.

Arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court, the minister, according to the prosecution, illegally received 700 pre-painted iron sheets meant for people in Karamoja between July 2022 and March 2023. Despite knowing they were public property, he reportedly used some of the sheets to roof his goat farm shed.

The minister, however, denied dealing in suspected stolen property.

Lugoloobi has been remanded to Luzira prison until April 20 when he will again appear in court for further hearing of the case. The minister, through his lawyers, had applied for bail on grounds of ill health but it has not been granted.

He is the second minister to be jailed for corruption within two weeks in the landlocked East African country.

On April 6, the minister in charge of Karamoja, Mary Kitutu, was sent to prison over a similar case.