Minister Lugoloobi trial case fails to kickoff

As a result, trial judge Margaret Tibulya decided to postpone the case until next week, on Wednesday and Thursday, with seven prosecution witnesses.

The assistant director of public prosecution (DPP), Josephine Namatovu, also told the court that she would be available on whatever dates were agreed upon.

John Isabirye, Lugoloobi's lawyer, told the court that he was ready to defend his client.

Minister Lugoloobi is accused of obtaining property (iron sheets) meant for the vulnerable people in the Karamoja sub-region.

It is alleged that he reportedly used 400 iron sheets to roof his piggery farm in Kayunga, something he denied doing. Lugolobi said he gave away the iron sheets to people in his constituency who had piggery farms.

According to the prosecution, Lugoloobi committed the crime between February 2nd and March 15th, 2022, in the Prime Minister's Office stores in Namanve-Mukono, as well as at various locations in Matugga, Wakiso, and Ntenjeru in Kayunga District.

The minister was later arrested, but he was released on a cash bail of Sh 10 million.

Before his arrest, the Karamoja Affairs Minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu, was arrested and charged by the Anti-Corruption Court on two accounts, which include causing loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud.

Kitutu is accused of these crimes alongside her brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu.

The scandal also involved other government officials, such as the state minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu; the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among; and the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, among others.