New details have emerged that the office of Karamoja Affairs has failed to account for the iron sheets and food meant for the Karamoja subregion in a petition by legislators who have petitioned Speaker Annet Anita Among asking top Ministers to step aside to allow a forensic audit and proper investigations conducted on the sprawling reports on the scandal.
In their petition, eight MPs contend that the saga has unearthed more than meet the eye and that officials in the Ministry of Karamoja have been behind the mismanagement of the iron sheets that were meant to be for building houses for the people of Karamoja and maize that was supposed to feed them.
“No single vulnerable or disarmed youth has received even a single iron sheet. Through the media, we have learnt with shock that the ministry of Karamoja Affairs and her colleagues have already served themselves with over 22, 000 iron sheets worth Shs1.7billion. Iron sheets have ended 300km away from where they should have been. And the beneficiaries are still waiting for the same,” in part read the petition.
Reports show that Ms Among explained to this publication through his Public Press Secretary, Joseph Sabiti indicating that the iron sheets that were allocated to Bukedea district were delivered.
“Bukedea district was allocated 500 iron sheets to help three primary schools that had urgent roofing needs. 200 of the iron sheets went to Kajamaka primary school in Kidongole sub county, 150 to Kadacar Primary School in Kangole sub county and 150 to Kalou primary school in Kabarwa sub county. The schools duly acknowledged the items and accountability returned to the ministry of relief and disaster preparedness where the items were picked from,” Mr Sabiti said in an interview.
At the weekend, news spread across various platforms indicating that several top government officials had divided amongst themselves iron sheets that were meant for the people of Karamoja subregion relief.
Throughout last year, Karamoja sub-region was hit by a strong wave of famine and drought which led to the death of over 1500 people.
In a bid to respond to the crisis supplementary budget that was passed by parliament last of Shs39billion to procure goats and 100, 000 iron sheets worth Shs5 Billion. Another Shs 135 billion for procurement of relief food was passed.
Media reports that since indicated that Ms Maria Goretti Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, together with other senior government officials failed to explain the whereabouts of relief items that she was to distribute, that was reportedly found at her relatives’ homes in Namisindwa where she is the district Woman MP.
Another statement from the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Prime minister Keith Muhakanizi indicated that, “The iron sheets were to be distributed to various vulnerable households, interest groups, institutions (churches, schools, mosques, health centers.”
In their petition, Karamoja MPs also alleged that another 3500 bags of maize which was meant to fight famine in the region have since gone missing from the stores.
“We demand that the Minister of Karamoja Affairs Ms Mary Gorreti Kitutu and the State Minister Agnes Nandutu step aside to allow proper investigation into the matter,” in part read the demands from the Karamoja MPs’ petition.
Documents seen to which all the responses have come indicate that the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja received 2000 pieces of Iron Sheets.
Maria Goretti Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, received 1500 pieces of Iron Sheets on 1st January, 2022. The same ministry she heads further received 1500 pieces on 17th June, 2022.
Ms Agnes Nandutu, the state minister for Karamoja received 2000 pieces of Iron Sheets.
Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, the Vice President received 500 pieces of Iron Sheets.
Mr Matia Kasaija, the finance minister picked 600 pieces of Iron Sheets.
Ms Rose Lilly Akello, the State Minister of Ethics and Integrity, , and also Karenga District Woman MP took 800 pieces of Iron Sheets.
Mr Amos Lugolobi, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, received 300 pieces of Iron Sheets.
