Minister Kitutu Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Prosecution in 1.5 Billion Shillings Loss Case

Mary Goretti Kitutu Kimono, the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, has officially applied to the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, aiming to halt her prosecution on fresh charges of causing a 1.5 billion shillings loss to the government.

In this instance, Kitutu is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Inspector General of Government (IGG) Betty Kamya from prosecuting her for alleged mismanagement of funds designated for Peace Building Activities in Karamoja. Kitutu argues that the same matter is already under prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Anti-Corruption Court.

However, the application could not proceed this morning as the Attorney General has requested an additional week to file a reply to Minister Kitutu’s application.

This extension is aimed at providing clarity on the legal aspects concerning prosecutions by both the Inspectorate of Government and the DPP, as stipulated by the law. Presiding Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga is overseeing the case.

Last April, Kitutu faced charges initiated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) related to the loss of 14,500 iron sheets intended for the Karamojong Community Empowerment Programme. The charges followed a parliamentary committee investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a supplementary budget of 39 billion shillings.

Kitutu challenges her prosecution by the DPP, citing a lack of disclosed evidence to prepare her defense. Additionally, she expresses surprise at the IGG summoning her over information she claims not to possess. Kitutu argues that these circumstances violate her right to a fair hearing.

Kitutu wants the court to dismiss the charges brought by the IGG, asserting that they infringe upon her right to a fair hearing. Furthermore, she seeks to stop the IGG from conducting new investigations into the alleged mismanagement of the 39-billion-shilling supplementary budget, maintaining that those inquiries have already been concluded.

The IGG recently brought Kitutu to court and secured an order of Criminal Summons, compelling her to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court on February 29, 2024.

She faces charges related to causing a financial loss of over 1.5 billion shillings meant for various peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region. Justice Kajuga has scheduled February 1, 2024, as the date to hear Minister Kitutu’s case.