Lugoloobi responds to critics

State Minister for Finance and Planning Amos Lugoloobi is one among a string of Cabinet Ministers that benefited from the Office of Prime Minister (OPM) iron sheets saga.

He reportedly received 600 iron sheets through the OPM for vulnerable communities in Karamoja Sub-region.

While addressing locals at Kayunga Mayor’s Gardens, Kayunga Town Council in Kayunga District at the launch of the Parish Development Model (PDM) Lugolobi announced that he heard rumours circulating around calling him a thief.

The Ntenjeru North MP,stated that besides receiving a donation not requested for, he has been generous to communities in his area (kayunga) and donated iron sheets worth millions of shillings.

“I have for a long time donated iron sheets worth millions to churches, mosques, schools and even individuals using personal money. How can you allege that I can steal 300 iron sheets?” He said

In 2022 Parliament allocated an Shs 39 billion supplementary budget to purchase 100,000 roofing iron sheets and other relief items for the needy in Karamoja sub region.

According to officials at OPM, the Karamoja line Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, requisitioned for 12,200 iron sheets from the stores to distribute to “vulnerable groups” during her “mobilization” drives in Karamoja.

However, officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit discovered the same iron sheets in Manafwa, being sold by Kitutu’s brother and mother.

Lugoloobi responds to critics

Shortly after, a host of other ministers including Rebecca Kadaga, the the First Deputy Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija among others affirmed receiving iron sheets they never requested for. Some have since justified it saying they have already distributed the iron sheets to needy groups in their own respective constituencies.

Last week, Kitutu issued a public apology and admitted that there were discrepancies in the distribution process.