Uganda's public prosecutor to charge Minister over corruption

COLOMBO (News1st) ; The public prosecutor’s office of Uganda is to charge a Minister with corruption over the theft of metal roofing sheets earmarked to help people in the restive northeastern Karamoja region.

Prosecution of ministers for corruption is rare in Uganda, where the misappropriation of public funds and materials is routine.

Ugandan cabinet minister Mary Goretti Kitutu is to be charged with corruption after three of her family members were arrested for selling building materials bound for the poor.

A remote region bordering Kenya and South Sudan, Karamoja is home to pastoral nomads vulnerable to frequent droughts and deadly cattle raids.

Police arrested three close relatives of Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu in February for selling metal roofing sheets branded with “Office of the Prime Minister”, according to local media.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said late on Wednesday (5) it would charge Kitutu with corruption and conspiracy to commit a felony “for diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme”.