As the country gets to terms about the recent scandal of government officials diverting relief items for vulnerable communities in Karamoja region- the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has come out and stated that the Office of Prime Minister is cooperating with all agencies involved in the investigations. This after it emerged that several other cabinet ministers also signed for the relief items .
“ Please note that , Prime Minister’s office is the home of many affirmative action ministries including , Karamoja Affairs, Bunyoro Affairs, Teso Affairs , Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Luwero- Rwenzori and Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
“All these ministries procure various items including iron sheets for specific intervention to address gaps in livelihood and infrastructure in their respective portfolios which items are kept in the same store ,” Nabbanja said in a brief one page statement .
The PM explained that it was not true that the iron sheets which were given to other areas of Uganda from OPM were diverted from those of the Ministry of Karamoja.
Nabbanja ‘s explanation follows revelations that iron sheets meant for the poor communities in Karamoja had been diverted by Minister for Karamoja Affairs Gorreti Kitutu and sold in Eastern Uganda –promoting the on going investigations on the directive of President Yoweri Museveni .
This was after Iron Sheets marked for Office of the Prime Minister were reportedly found at her relatives’ homes in Namisindwa where she is the district Woman MP.
It has also emerged that Kitutu was not the only government minister who received relief items from the OPM.
Other cabinet ministers requisitioned for the relief items too . According to documents seen by this publication nine ministers touched relief items for the poor after Minister Kitutu through her personal assistant authorized the release of the relief items to the said cabinet colleagues .
Permanent Secretary OPM Mr. Keith Muhakanizi stated , ” the alleged diversion of iron sheets against the intended purpose shall be investigated and action will be taken against the perpetuators including recovery and prosecution of those involved . we have requested the responsible institutions to speed up investigations . In addition , we have asked officials from the department of Karamoja Affairs to submit accountabilities for iron sheets that were released .”
