Karamoja Minister Kitutu Charged With Causing UGX 1.5 Billion Financial Loss

The Inspectorate of Government has brought charges against Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, for alleged involvement in causing a financial loss of UGX 1,555,365,000.

Alongside her, Sseremba Geoffrey, the Secretary/Accounting Officer, and Deogratius Masagazi, the Under Secretary/Head of Department for Pacification and Development Programme, both from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), also face corruption charges.

The amended charge sheet by the Inspectorate of Government dropped charges against five OPM officials but maintained charges against Sseremba Geoffrey and Deogratius Masagazi. Notably, Minister Kitutu and Atuhirwe Tracy, the Head of Accounts at OPM, have been introduced to the charges.

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has issued criminal summons for Minister Kitutu and Atuhirwe Tracy, compelling their appearance on February 29, 2024. Meanwhile, Sseremba Geoffrey and Deogratius Masagazi, who were present in court, have been charged afresh with corruption. Both pleaded not guilty and, through their lawyers, successfully maintained their previously granted bail.

The particulars of the charges include allegations that Minister Kitutu, between February and June 2022, failed to conduct various peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region, causing a financial loss of UGX 1,555,365,000 to the Government of Uganda.

Sseremba Geoffrey and Deogratius Masagazi are accused of, between February and June 2022, negligently authorizing a total cash payment of UGX 2,230,291,000 to various staff within the Office of the Prime Minister, with the aim of obtaining illicit benefits for themselves and Minister Kitutu.

Furthermore, Atuhirwe Tracy, in her role as Acting Head of Accounts at OPM between April and June 2022, is alleged to have neglected her duty, leading to the mismanagement and lack of accountability for UGX 2,230,291,000, earmarked for peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region.

The prosecution is being represented by Prosecutors Nantabazi Diana and William Moses Ntumwa. The accused individuals will face charges related to causing financial loss, corruption, and neglect of duty, as per the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009.