Embattled Karamoja Affairs Minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu has been arrested and taken into custody by the joint team of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) who are investigating diversion of relief items including goats and iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people in the semi arid Karamoja region.
Kitutu who had been summoned by the Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs to testify about allegations of abuse of office and diversion of relief items didn’t show up- prompting the MPs to direct for her arrest .
When she finally appeared , Kitutu declined to take an oath and was handed over to the Parliament CID team that transferred her to CID headquarters.
“She was supposed to have appeared and recorded a statement with us last week, but she kept dodging us. We have since been recording statements from others on charges of abuse of office, theft and diversion among other charges,” police sources told the media .
The iron sheets scandal has caused public anger and calls for all the named government officials to return the relief items and others to resign .
Over 15 government officials have recorded statements with the investigating agencies . State Minister for Karamoja Agnes Nandutu is the latest government official to return some of the diverted relief items .
