A mother and other relatives of a minister in President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s government have been arrested, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has confirmed. The arrest was based on allegations of theft and sale of iron sheets that were destined for Karamoja Region under the Affirmative Action Program.
In the current quarter of this financial year, the Office of the Prime Minister, through the Office of the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, released iron sheets to support the vulnerable groups, Interest groups, Institutions and Karachunas or reformed warriors in Karamoja Region.
“I wish to emphasize that all our iron sheets are marked ‘For Office of the Prime Minister’and are intended for Vulnerable groups, Special Interest groups, and Institutions such as schools, churches, mosques, health centers, storage facilities and shelters for organized community groups for relief and livelihood support,” said Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent Secretary in the OPM.
Besides the mother to Maria Goretti Kitutu, the Minister of Karamoja Affairs, other relatives arrested are a brother and a nephew to the same top government official.
Muhakanizi says the OPM will not tolerate any acts of corruption and will liaise with investigating and prosecuting agencies to ensure that the suspects face the law.
“We wish to assure the General Public that the Office of the Prime Minister, as the Leader of Government Business, does not condone corruption in any form including selling of relief items. We will cooperate with the Police during investigations so that the culprits are arraigned in the Courts of Law to answer charges. We have requested the responsible institutions to speed up investigations,” said PS Muhakanizi.
“The alleged diversion of iron sheets against the intended purpose shall be investigated and action will be taken against perpetuators including recovery and prosecution of those involved.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary has also revealed that the OPM has tasked responsible officials to account for the iron sheets. “In addition, we have asked officials from the Department of Karamoja Affairs to submit accountabilities for iron sheets that were released,” he said.
