State Minister for Karamoja Agnes Nandutu as a former journalist knows the rule book -that never be arrested on a Friday . Police sources now say that they are looking for the elusive Nandutu formerly of Daily Monitor and NTV to be arraigned in court on charges of diverting government stores .
This after her colleague to State Minister for Finance Amos Lugolobi who used mabaati meant for the Karachuna in Karamoja to construct sheds for animals in his constituency in Kayunga was arrested on Friday evening and will spend the weekend in police cells- for “maximum political effect” according to experts.
Lugolobi was detained at kira Police station and some of his cabinet colleagues were not allowed to see him while in detention. He is the second cabinet Minister to be arrested in the Mabaati scandal that has rocked the nation . police sources told ugandaupdatenews.com that Minister Lugolobi was likely to be produced in court and charged on Monday.
Smart Nandutu cant be arrested on a Friday
President Yoweri Museveni has since written to the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and directed that cabinet ministers who took mabaati meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja should return them immediately .
He also stated that he is going to take political action against the culprits –noting that their actions to divert relief items meant for the “ Karachuna” tantamount to “political corruption” and “subversion”.
Museveni’s two page letter dated April 3rd, 2023 was copied to the Vice President , all Ministers and Ministers of State , all Permanent Secretaries and all Members of Parliament .
“ There are two issues of wrong –doing involved . If somebody , took mabaati meant for the Karachuna and gave them to people or institutions in his or her constituency, this is political corruption. It is like bribing voters so as to get political favours .
In the case of mabaati , it is at the expense of the Karachuna, but also at the expense of security of the country . Remember, this giving of the mabaati to the Karachuna is part of removing them from causing insecurity . those Ministers are , therefore , undermining that in exchange of cheap popularity, “ Museveni strongly worded letter reads in part.
General Museveni said that this diversion government stores by some of his ministers was subversion –a serious felony under the country’s criminal laws .
“This is actually subversive. Under the NRM code , cheap popularity ,is characterized as subversive .The Ministers that were , therefore ,consciously involved in this must take personal responsibility , pay back the value of the mabaati they diverted and I will decide on the political action to punish this mistakes ,” President Museveni stated.
State House sources intimated that the Commander in Chief has been in very pensive mood since this scandal came to the public realm . “Most likely he is going to drop those who consciously stole the mabaati in a cabinet reshuffle to be announced soon ,” a source that declined to named stated .
More than 15 senior government officials have since been named in this national scandal and all have recorded statements with police and other investigating arms of government . The minister who was directly in charge of the Karamajo docket Dr. Gorreti kitutu , her brother and an office assistant have since been arrested , charged in the Anti Corruption court and remanded at Luzira prison .
But President Museveni is also aware that there some Ministers who took the mabaati unconsciously . “ Those who were unconsciously involved , should return the mabaati, if they are still available or personally re-imburse the value of the mabaati they diverted,” he directed .
For those who took the mabaati for personal use like one Minister who used the mabaati for his goats shed , President Museveni had no kind words.
“ This is not just a political mistake , it is theft. Those involved must both bring back the mabaati or equivalent value in money but also be handled by the police under the Criminal laws of the country .I will also take political action once the police has concluded their investigations ,” Museveni stated .
According to Police spokesman , Enanga police was meant to have concluded their investigations this week.
Some of the government officials who received the diverted mabaati like the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and State Minister for Karamoja Agnes Nandutu have returned the stolen items .
