Court charges, remands Minister Kitutu’s personal assistant Abaho
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded Joshua Abaho the Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs to Luzira Prison.
Abaho who appeared in court for the first time after court issued a production warrant for him has also been charged with loss of Public Property and Corruption. He is accused of diverting over 5000 pieces of iron sheet meant for reformed warriors in Karamoja.
Prosecution states that during the month of January 2023 at the office of the Prime Minister’s Stores in Namanve Mukono District, being in public office in the position of Senior Assistant Secretary Ministry of Karamoja Affairs, Abaho diverted 5,500 iron sheets of gauge 28 belonging to the state.
Abaho ‘s boss Kitutu and her brother Micheal Naboya also appeared before the same court for the mention of their case. Both Kitutu and Naboya were granted 10 million shillings cash bail by the same court on charges of causing loss of public property in the diversion of roofing sheets and theft of government property meant for the poor in the Karamoja sub region respectively.
Court charges, remands Minister Kitutu’s personal assistant Abaho
At Court, Abaho through his lawyers led by Paul Kuteesa applied for bail and presented five sureties including; Simon Peter Kasyate his nephew who is also the Deputy Director of Public and Corporate Affairs at Kampala Capital City Authority and Simon Tumwesigye Karokora his Cousin, brother who also doubles as the Customs Supervisor at Uganda Revenue Authority among others.
The sureties presented their bank statements, recommendation, and introduction letters from their respective Local Council One Chairpersons of their places of residence and their National Identification Cards and employment cards.
However, prosecution led by David Bisamunyu and Jonathan Muwaganya said they already received Abaho’s documents including a land title on Wednesday.
Bisamunyu said the State has already objected to the bail application on grounds that the land title he presented showed the land is registered as a Private Mile in his name yet it shows two plots of land .
The State further argued that the sureties presented lack the capacity to meet the terms of the bond as per the regulations governing the Anti-Corruption Court. Their bank statements didn’t demonstrate the required money needed for bond which is 200 million shillings.
In the rejoinder Paul Kuteesa the lawyer to Abaho Joshua implored court to grant bail to the applicant since they have provided the needed necessities for the accused person to be granted bail.
However Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro deferred her ruling on Abaho’s bail to May 02, 2023.
As for the embattled Minister Kitutu and her brother Naboya Kitutu the prosecution informed the court that investigations are still ongoing.
Kitutu is accused of diverting 9,000 iron sheets and giving her brother 100 pieces.
Abaho is the fourth suspect to be charged in the Iron Sheets Scandal. Others are ; Minister Kitutu, her brother Naboya, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi, and State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu who is still on remand.
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Court charges, remands Minister Kitutu’s personal assistant Abaho
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
